Police spending

Emma Best: As a percentage of your total budget, please break down the annual amount of mayoral expenditure from each financial year 2016/17 – 2020/21 on policing?

The Mayor: The policing and total GLA budgets for these years are publicly available at The Mayor's budget | London City Hall.

Gypsy, Traveller and Roma Hate Crime

Emma Best: Will the Mayor make sure data is collected by MOPAC specifically on hate crime against those from Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities?

The Mayor: Hate crimes committed against those from Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities are as unacceptable as those against any of London’s communities. It’s important that we know when and where it occurs so that the police can respond and victims can receive support.
To this end, hate crime offences against Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities are ‘flagged’ by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) for identification purposes when recording racially and religiously motivated hate crimes.
MOPAC can access this data on an ad hoc basis and is in discussions with the MPS about publishing the data in a way that provides a transparent picture of hate crime against those communities, without compromising the confidentiality or privacy of victims.

Protecting police officers - follow up

Emma Best: In my response to my question 2021/2336 regarding plans to protect officers over the next three years you detailed measures from the previous mayoralty, thank you for that. Please can you advise what future plans you have? Or is it currently just to listen to the Commissioner as and when?

The Mayor: As I have said in my response to 2021/2336 I take my operational advice on office safety from the Commissioner and will listen to her concerns and recommendations for the protection of officers.
Future plans to enhance the protection of officers include allocating more time to Public and Personal Safety Training. This will be mandated at 12 hours a year from April 2022 with a separate full day of First Aid Training. This is a national standardised package being developed by the College of Policing.

GOWISELY during the Coronavirus pandemic (2)

Caroline Russell: How many times have the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) issued a copy of a search record to someone who was stopped and searched, each year since 2016?

The Mayor: I have been advised by the Metropolitan Police Service that it is not possible to extract this information from the current IT system used for recording stop and search data.
Ensuring members of the public have access to this information is important which is why the MPS are exploring alternative methods for sharing the slips, including via email.

Review of dangerous materials in railway arch properties

Zack Polanski: There is a need to move away from using gases and fuels that emit climate change causing pollutants and local air pollution in commercial properties. Will you undertake further work through London Fire Brigade (LFB) and Transport for London (TfL) to promote such work to reduce fire risks and reduce carbon emissions where TfL is the commercial landlord in railway arches?

The Mayor: I am hugely grateful for the quick reaction of the emergency services following the recent fire at Elephant and Castle. The fire broke out from inside an arch managed by The Arch Company and investigations are ongoing.
As Landlord of approximately 800 arches, Transport for London (TfL) takes its responsibilities seriously.Following the fire at Elephant and Castle, TfLand the London Fire Brigade (LFB) are visiting tenants across TfL’s estate to ensure they are complying with their fire safety requirements. TfL’s surveyors and facilities managers regularly inspect all arches in the TfL estate to identify combustible items such as gases, fuels, and other pollutants.
TfL and LFB will continue working together to ensure that all tenants on the TfL estate are compliant with their fire safety requirements.

Fire Brigade support from outside of London

Zack Polanski: How many flooding incidents, by year, have the London Fire Brigade (LFB) attended in London which then needed support from extra appliances or other equipment from outside of London or not normally held by LFB?

The Mayor: The total number of flooding incidents and type in London by calendar year and those attended by an appliance from a neighbouring Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) is presented in the table below (data to midnight on 12 July 2021). On 12 July 2021 the Brigade took over 2000 calls and mobilised to some 1,115 incidents and many were due to the heavy rainfall. However, all these flooding incidents may not yet be fully reflected in the data below.
All flooding incidents in London (with those attended by an appliance from a neighbouring FRS in brackets)
Calendar Year
Burst water main
Water leak within building
Weather related flooding
Total
2016
360 (0)
5747 (3)
578 (0)
6685 (3)
2017
324 (0)
5967 (5)
257 (0)
6548 (5)
2018
493 (1)
6960 (8)
545 (0)
7998 (9)
2019
238 (3)
6178 (1)
383 (1)
6799 (5)
2020
279 (4)
5696 (1)
553 (0)
6528 (5)
2021*
170 (0)
3109 (0)
280 (0)
3559 (27)
*as of 12 July 2021

Vision Zero police accountability

Caroline Russell: At the 23 June 2021 Police and Crime Committee meeting your Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime told me that the oversight and accountability for Vision Zero sits with the Deputy Mayor for Transport. Do you agree that a Vision Zero, harm reduction approach should be embedded in roads policing?

The Mayor: Yes, I agree. While the Deputy Mayor for Transport has overall responsibility for Vision Zero, my ambitious objectives around road risk reduction require a wide range of organisations and agencies to play their part.
I am pleased to confirm that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) are fully committed to Vision Zero and are a key delivery partner. The joint Transport for London (TfL)/MPS funded Roads and Transport Policing Command has lead policing responsibility for reducing danger on London’s roads but works with teams across the MPS to keep Londoners safe as they travel. The Command’s roads policing activity contributes directly to our Vision Zero targets and helps to reduces risk from illegal, dangerous and reckless road user behaviour. The police continue to work closely with TfL in the implementation of the Vision Zero strategy, with joint analysis being used in the targeting of locations and offences.
Vision Zero and roads policing is a key part of the current Police and Crime Plan and London and will continue to be in the next plan.

Tube Noise [1]

Anne Clarke: What is the short and long term plan for the noise on the Bank branch of the Northern line in the Mornington Crescent area?

The Mayor: Due to the limited ventilation in the area, it has been challenging to schedule rail grinding on this section of track. For safety, engineers need adequate ventilation to carry out rail grinding.
However, following review, new procedures have been put in place to ensure that these works can be carried out safety, and Transport for London (TfL) now plans to carry out rail grinding on the Bank branch in August 2021. Following this, residential measurements will be carried out to assess the impact of this work.
In the longer-term, TfL is also reviewing whether more fundamental track works may be appropriate, and I have asked that its officers contact you once this work has been completed.

Plastic seating on buses

Anne Clarke: Given the impact Covid is having on the need to keep surfaces clean, are you looking at reintroducing plastic covers on bus seats, which are easier to wipe down and keep clean?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has been following the latest Public Health England guidance, as well as independent research by University College London, to ensure it responds to the pandemic in the best way possible. TfL tests frequently touched surfaces on public transport, including on buses, and to date has found no traces of COVID-19 virus. There is therefore no obvious case for introducing plastic seat covers.
Surfaces on vehicles, including seats, continue to be treated with a product that forms a long-lasting antimicrobial coating, which provides up to 28 days protection from the virus. Current seats also offer reasonable comfort and are fitted with fabrics that provide a certain amount of friction, which helps reduce the likelihood and severity of accidents and is one of the reasons why TfL has not permitted the use of plastic seats for many years.

2016 Taxi & Private Hire Action Plan

Keith Prince: Is the Mayor still committed to his 2016 Taxi & Private Hire action plan and, if so, which of the yet to be completed proposals does he intend to implement this year?

The Mayor: Yes, I am. I set out in my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/1059, the majority of commitments in my Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan have been delivered.
Of the 39 commitments I made to the taxi and private hire trades, 29 have been completed, two have been superseded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Statutory Standards and a further five require legislative change which I continue to seek from Government when the opportunity arises. Of the remaining three commitments: one will be delivered later this year and two (advanced driving test and private vehicle hire insurance) have been placed on hold as Transport for London (TfL) prioritises the introduction of the DfT Statutory Standards and provides further time for the trade to recover from the significant impact of the pandemic.
The commitment being delivered later this year is additional training and assessment for applicants. TfL will be introducing assessment modules covering safeguarding, equality and regulatory obligations. These new modules will also bring about changes in the way TfL assesses an applicant’s ability to meet the already implemented English Language Requirement.
Once TfL has fully implemented the DfT Statutory Standards, and the trade is on the road to recovery following the pandemic, it will give further consideration to the appropriateness of an advanced driving test and private hire vehicle insurance.

E-scooter trial

Anne Clarke: The present e-scooter trial does not appear to require riders to wear safety gear such as helmets and high-viz in the way cyclists should. Why is this? Will you consider making this mandatory in the future?

The Mayor: The Department for Transport (DfT) has set minimum standards for the trials of rental e-scooters and, as part of this, helmets have not been made mandatory, in common with the position for cyclists.
As part of the London rental trial, operators are promoting the use of helmets and other safety equipment through the provision of incentives and discounts to journeys taken if riders share a photo of themselves wearing a helmet before they start. Transport for London’s (TfL’s), London Councils’ and the participating London boroughs’ communications to customers are also promoting key safety behaviours to observe when using a rental e-scooter, including wearing a helmet. All of these recommendations are detailed on a dedicated rental e-scooter trial safety page which can be found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/e-scooter-safety. Promoting safety and driving higher standards has been, and will remain, at the core of the trial.
The overall future legal basis and requirements for the use of e-scooters following the trial is a national issue and therefore the responsibility of the DfT. However, TfL will continue to seek to influence the appropriate use of e-scooters in the capital, prioritising safety, making changes to the trial where needed, and feeding back periodically to the Government on its learnings.

Violence Suppression Units (15)

Sem Moema: What is your assessment of the role in violence suppression units in tackling county lines?

The Mayor: Violence Suppression Units have a key role in tackling county lines drug dealing. They target local drug markets within London’s boroughs through targeted stop and search, premises search warrants, and proactive operations with other local and specialist uniformed and investigative police teams. VSUs share information with local authority children’s services and other police units when identifying a young person who is at risk, and this enables preventative work to be undertaken in partnership. VSU officers also coordinate work with county forces though intelligence sharing and with Operation Orachi, a specialist MPS County Lines team.

ULEZ Expansion (5)

Keith Prince: A constituent has asked me to table this question:

Vehicles constructed three years or more before the date of their annual “MOT” inspectionhavetopassa strict emissionstest every year. Does theMayor believe that his non-Euro4 (non-Euro6 for diesels) qualification for not having to pay the ULEZ polluters’ fine to be somehow superior to the MOT test?

The Mayor: The ULEZ specifically targets the air pollutants which are most harmful to human health: nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). These are regulated by the Euro standards, which require vehicle engines to be designed to meet emission limits for these pollutants. Compliance with these limits is precisely measured before engines can be put on the market.
In contrast, the MOT test is an indicator of the general health of the engine and emissions control system and does not give precise measurements of the emissions performance of a vehicle or measure NOx or PM emissions.
The standards chosen as the basis for compliance with the ULEZ are Euro 4 for petrol cars (widely available since 2005) and Euro 6 for diesel cars (widely available since 2015). These reflect the points at which new Euro Standards resulted in a very large drop in permitted NOx and PM emissions compared to previous standards.

ULEZ Expansion (6)

Keith Prince: A constituent has asked me to table this question:

Information from the Bond Owners’ Club, the Bond Bug Club, the Mini Owners’ Club of Great Britain, and the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club all point to vehicles with a Historic Class or registered before 1973 being charged the ULEZ polluters’ “fine” in flagrant disregard of theMayor’soft-published policy that these few vehicles would not be subject to the £12.50 daily charge. Will he pause the expansionof ULEZ to the North and South Circulars until such time as TfL’s monitoring cameras and charging systems are fit for purpose and will he halt all further prosecutions for non-payment given that TfL’s systems cannot be relied on?

The Mayor: All vehicles constructed before 1 January 1973 and those that are registered with the DVLA for “Historic” Tax Class are exempt from ULEZ charges.
Transport for London (TfL) assures me that the systems are all working correctly, so there is no need to pause the expansion of ULEZ. The online ULEZ vehicle checker shows whether a vehicle would be liable to pay the charge based on its emissions. Drivers can then create a ‘Pay to Drive in London’ account which will provide access to a second vehicle checker that accounts for any exemptions and discounts applicable to the vehicle.
Therefore, while historic vehicles do not meet the ULEZ standards, the exemption means they are not liable to pay the charge and TfL will not issue them with a Penalty Charge Notice. If you have any specific examples to the contrary, TfL will be happy to investigate these.
Historic vehicles are not exempt from the Congestion Charge, which is separate to the ULEZ charge.

ULEZ Expansion (1)

Keith Prince: A constituent has asked me to table this question:

The new twin-bore tunnel at Silvertown, within the extended ULEZ, will effectively eliminate congestion and improve air quality around the Blackwall Tunnel approach, with no increase in carbon emissions. This has not been taken into account in the Aether specialist reports’ predictions that the forward effects of ULEZ and its expansion have been based on. Does theMayoragree that the Silvertown Tunnel will further reduce pollution levels and the need for ULEZ extension from 25th October?

The Mayor: The Silvertown Tunnel will provide a much-needed new link in east London and help to manage congestion and a lack of resilience at the Blackwall Tunnel. As I stated in my response to 2020/1071 it is the best solution at this location, but it has a relatively small effect on air quality at a London-wide level.
With this in mind, it is imperative that we continue to take action to tackle London’s air quality problem and improve the health of Londoners, as set out in my London Environment Strategy (LES). The Aether report evaluated the LES actions – which include the expansion of the ULEZ in October – and found that they would have significant beneficial effects on all Londoners especially the poorest. Among the many benefits the report found that with these policies, the number of primary and secondary schools in areas exceeding NO2 limits would fall from 453 in 2013 to zero by 2025.
This is why it is important that we implement the ULEZ expansion as planned on 25 October this year. I am pleased to see that, as was the case for the central zone, the planned extension has already led to an increase in compliant vehicles which will not need to pay a charge – around 80 per cent of cars currently meet the standards.

ULEZ Expansion (2)

Keith Prince: A constituent has asked me to table this question:

TheMayorclaims that specialist Aether pollution level reports guide his decision to go ahead with the expansion of the ULEZ to cover 132 extra square miles on October 25th. But Aether statein their original 2013 report and confirm in their 2017 review that by 2025 only 72,000 of London's 9¼ million estimated (2021) population will be subject to levels of pollution greater than maximum EU recommended levels, and by 2030none at all.

With 60 percent of those 72,000 residents in Tower Hamlets, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham would theMayoragree that following the success of the original ULEZ there’s now no need to expand the ULEZ?

The Mayor: No. There is a clear, pressing, legal and moral obligation to take action to reduce air pollution as soon as possible. In January I published further research showing 4,000 Londoners died prematurely due to the impacts of toxic air in 2019, with highest number of deaths attributed to toxic air recorded in outer London boroughs. While this is many fewer than when I first took office in 2016, it is still 4,000 too many.
We know from experience that the ULEZ approach works. In 2019, before the pandemic, nitrogen dioxide pollution had been reduced by nearly half within the zone. Despite these improvements, 24 per cent of roads in the expanded zone, and 14 per cent of roads Londonwide, still exceed legal limits.
All Londoners deserve to breathe clean air, so to protect the health of Londoners now and in the long term I am taking systemic action and expanding the ULEZ.

ULEZ Expansion (3)

Keith Prince: A constituent has asked me to table this question:

Given the Covid-related reduction in trafficlevels, improvements in vehicle technology, the success of plug-in hybrid and plug-in electric vehicle sales and thus increasing numbers of non-Euro4 and Euro6 vehicles being taken off the road, would theMayorkeep the air quality situation under review and delay the expansion of ULEZbya further 132 square miles to the North and South Circulars until further data is collected and collated?

The Mayor: The ULEZ expansion is vital to achieving compliance with legal limits for nitrogen dioxide by or before 2025, and is included in the Government’s own air quality action plan. It will also set us on track for meeting the more stringent health-driven World Health Organization guidelines. Many Londoners have already acted to replace non-compliant vehicles, increasing the rate at which non-Euro 4 and Euro 6 vehicles are being taken off the road beyond the normal turnover of the fleet. This is the aim of the scheme, not a reason for delay.
Although traffic levels in London decreased during the pandemic, they have risen again and in May were only five per cent lower than pre pandemic levels in inner London, according to TfL's network performance traffic monitoring.
Even during the pandemic period some air quality monitoring sites recorded levels of pollution exceeding legal limits.
Although I welcome improvements in vehicle technology and the Government’s recent announcement to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, the air quality benefits will not be seen soon enough to achieve the improvement legally required by 2025.

ULEZ Expansion (4)

Keith Prince: A constituent has asked me to table this question:

Given that this expansion was a matter of recent political debate, and the impossibility of the motor trade dealing with a potential 15,500 vehicles per month being scrapped or traded in without further polluting consequences, will theMayorgive residents affected by the ULEZ expansion a period beyond 25th October to adjust?

The Mayor: There is a clear, pressing, legal and moral obligation to take action to reduce air pollution across London as soon and effectively as possible. The ULEZ expansion has been subject to several rounds of public consultation and was announced in June 2018 to ensure a long notice period to allow people time to prepare for the change in the boundary.
Londoners have already taken action to prepare, and 80 per cent of cars seen driving in the expanded zone now meet the ULEZ standards. Ideally, the remaining polluting vehicles should be removed from the fleet and their raw materials reused and recycled. This is why the support I am offering low income and disabled Londoners, charities and small businesses is in the form of scrappage grants, and why I continue to ask Government to support a targeted national scrappage scheme.
The motor industry has also risen to the challenge of providing both new and used vehicles that meet the ULEZ standards so there is no reason to delay expansion.

Hammersmith Bridge

Caroline Pidgeon: Further to the announcement on the 30th March 2021 that TfL has selected Uber Boat by Thames Clippers to run the temporary Hammersmith ferry to take pedestrians and cyclists over the Thames while Hammersmith Bridge undergoes vital repair and refurbishment works, please provide an update as to when this service will commence this Summer. Please also provide an update as to when, irrespective of full strengthening of Hammersmith Bridge, pedestrians and cyclists will at least be allowed to resume using the bridge.

The Mayor: Since Transport for London (TfL) appointed Uber Boat by Thames Clippers in March 2021 it has held over 20 meetings with local stakeholders to help inform and refine its plans for the ferry. TfL is now in the formal planning and consents stage of the project. Approvals are needed from five different bodies: The London Boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF), and Richmond, the Port of London Authority, the Environment Agency, and the Marine & Maritime Organisation. The consents process must be completed before any building works can start and TfL continues to work closely with all bodies to ensure this happens as soon as possible, while allowing sufficient time for public scrutiny of the applications. To ensure works can start as soon as approvals are in place, TfL and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers have ordered materials and arranged key activities in advance.
On 15 July LBHF announced that it would reopen the bridge on 17 July to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic. I know that the closure of the bridge has caused upheaval for residents and businesses, so this comes as very welcome news. As requested by Government, TfL will continue to work on delivering the ferry as it provides contingency if the bridge needs to close at short notice or for planned restoration works.

ULEZ

Emma Best: Does theMayorrecognise the disproportionality in charging a disabled pensioner,in an outer London area,with poor public transport links,£12.50 to drive two miles to their local hospital once a week while a large commercial delivery vehicle can travel 1,000s of miles a week without charge?This is the reality of the current ULEZ proposals. Will the Mayor think again about how we can make the policy fairer for the most vulnerable Londoners?

The Mayor: Given the pressing legal and moral obligation to take action to reduce air pollution, we must ensure that the scheme is as all-encompassing as possible without unduly burdening vulnerable Londoners. Only drivers of vehicles that do not meet the ULEZ standards will be required to pay the charge to travel in the expanded ULEZ and already four in five cars seen in the expanded zone are compliant.
To support low-income and disabled Londoners, my car and motorcycle scrappage scheme provides financial support for drivers of non-compliant vehicles to switch to cleaner vehicles. On 16 July 2021 I announced an additional £5 million in funding for this scheme to support more Londoners. I have made this additional investment without Government, unlike the scrappage schemes supporting Birmingham’s and Bath’s Clean Air Zones which have received significant Government support.
Drivers of vehicles with a disabled or disabled passenger vehicle tax class, and wheelchair-adapted private hire vehicles, are also exempt until October 2025.Additionally, NHS patients who meet certain criteria are eligible for reimbursement of the ULEZ charge for their journeys to and from treatment. More information on eligibility is available on the Transport for London website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/reimbursements-of-the-congestion-charge-and-ulez-charge
Large commercial vehicles have been required to meet the cleanest Euro VI standard when operating in most of Greater London since 1 March 2021 as part of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Non-compliant vehicles must pay a daily charge of up to £300 to drive in the zone.

Private E-Scooters Enforcement

Tony Devenish: A YouGov poll commissioned by Guide Dogs in December 2020 found that 71 per cent of people who reported having seen an e-scooter being used in the last six months have seen them being driven illegally on the pavement. With an estimated 150,000 privately owned e-scooters in London, what are you doing to expand enforcement both by TfL and the Met against the worrying numbers of illegal riders to protect vulnerable Londoners? Please provide numbers.

The Mayor: The use of privately-owned e-scooters on public roads (including pavements) is unlawful and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and City of London Police have been enforcing this in London.
Penalties can include a £300 fixed penalty notice for no insurance, and six penalty points on a rider’s driving licence, as well as seizure of the e-scooter. So far this year, the MPS and City of London Police have seized over 2,050 e-scooters, and the MPS has been publicising its enforcement activity and results to further deter unlawful e-scooter use and ensure the safety of all Londoners.
Throughout June, the joint MPS/Transport for London (TfL)-funded MPS Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC) ran an operation targeting unlawful e-scooter use, involving officers from across the command including the Cycle Safety Team, Traffic Officers and Safer Transport Teams.This operation led to a record 1,103 unlawful e-scooters being seized in a single month.
TfL’s public communications for the rental e-scooter trial, including on its website and on the radio, make it clear that the rental scheme provides the only way to legally ride an e-scooter on public roads or in other public places in London. It is unlawful for any e-scooter, rental or private, to be used on the pavement.

OWL (Online Watch Link) (3)

Susan Hall: Can you confirm also that such a Communications System will include for Neighbourhood Watch to be able to send messages directly to all Residents or selected areas of Residents and receive messages from them for action?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2021/2972.

OWL (Online Watch Link) (2)

Susan Hall: Can you confirm at the next Tender Review for a Communications System the key functionality of OWL (Online Watch Link) will be built into any proposed requirements documentation?

The Mayor: Online communications systems have the potential to inform and reassure the community on local and pan London issues. Several such systems and apps are in use across London and others continue to be developed.
In accordance with good practice and procurement regulations any decision to support or acquire an online communications system will be based on a business case that will consider the technical requirements and viability of the available systems.

OWL (Online Watch Link) (1)

Susan Hall: Do you support the use of a shared crime alert system for London that can be used collectively by the Police, Neighbourhood Watch and Council Community Safety Teams to connect with residents, with the objective of preventing and detecting crime through the community working together with the Police and their local Council, as currently provided via OWL (Online Watch Link)?

The Mayor: There are multiple technology platforms on which local policing teams have a presence that enable communications within and between communities, the police and other local agencies, and I support that where local communities and partners find it useful in their area and OWL specifically has received Mayoral funding of £32,000 in 2019/20, £30,689 in 2020/21 and £33,435 in 2021/22.

Neighbourhood Watch

Susan Hall: Can you confirm that you support the efforts of Neighbourhood Watch to support the Community and the MPS?

The Mayor: I confirm my support for citizen engagement in all spheres of public life and would encourage all Londoners who can to become active citizens, to give their time to make the capital a better place and help London become a happier and safer city.

OWL (Online Watch Link) (5)

Susan Hall: Can you confirm that such a Communications System will be available for Council Community Safety Teams?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2021/2972.

OWL (Online Watch Link) (4)

Susan Hall: Do you agree that such a system should be identical for every London Borough, thereby saving the cost of re-training when an Officer moves Borough, and allowing crime alerts to be transparent across Borough boundaries, promoting a One London approach to crime prevention and detection?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2021/2972.

Transport for London Settlement (8)

Elly Baker: When will you be setting out your position to the recommendations of the independent review, that was published in December 2020?

The Mayor: My aim remains to secure sustainable long-term funding to enable Transport for London (TfL) to support London’s economic recovery, working in partnership with the Government to achieve its goals, including a job-led recovery and a decarbonised UK.
While the Independent Panel commented on some actions that could be taken in the short to medium term, its focus was on TfL’s financial sustainability beyond 2025. The recommendations are helping to inform the discussions between the Mayor, TfL and the Government on how TfL should be funded in the longer-term.

Support for Children (2)

Sem Moema: How many young Londoners have been helped through the London Community Response and what kind of support has this funding delivered?

The Mayor: The London Community Response (LCR) is a multi-funder collaboration made up of 67 funders. The LCR was established to help coordinate and distribute much- needed core funding to London’s communities throughout the pandemic. In August 2020, I announced an investment of £2.1m to the LCR to deliver activities to boost young Londoners’ skills and improve their mental health. This contribution enabled vital support to go to nearly 10,000 young Londoners including through grantees like Football Beyond Borders that provide young people with in-person and virtual schools educational support and wellbeing sessions. I recently contributed a further £1m to Wave 5 of the LCR to fundmentoring and personalised support for4,000+ young people, through grants to 20VCS organisations. Projects will start delivery in July 2021 and run for 12 months delivering a range of activities with a focus on supporting young people from underrepresented communities.

Flexi Season Tickets (1)

Elly Baker: Journeys solely within the London Zonal Fare Area are not available on a Flexi Season ticket. What does TfL think about this decision to exclude Londoners travelling in London from this new ticketing product?

The Mayor: The new flexible season tickets are a National Rail product for customers travelling on National Rail services. In discussions with the Department for Transport and the Rail Delivery Group, Transport for London (TfL) carefully considered options for introducing this on the TfL Network before concluding that it would not be part of the flexible season ticket scheme. This decision was taken because Transport for London’s Pay As You Go ticketing system has provided a superior flexible ticket solution for many years.

Flexi Season Tickets (2)

Elly Baker: Flexi Season tickets will be available as either aSmartcardorBarcodetickets. 17 train operators currently have their own smartcards. Can you confirm whether all 17 types of smartcard will be able to be used on the yellow contactless readers at train stations in London?

The Mayor: Train operator smartcards are accepted by London card readers wherever the ticket on the smartcard is valid.

Flexi Season Tickets (3)

Elly Baker: Flexi Season tickets will be available as either aSmartcardorBarcodetickets. 19 train operators currently use eTickets, which are purchased online and the ticket emailed to you. Passengers can then either scan the barcode on their phone at the gates or print the ticket out and scan it at the gates. How many stations in London offer the ability to scan a barcode ticket at the gate? What should passengers do if they want to travel to a station without a barcode reader?

The Mayor: The Train Operating Companies issue tickets for their services either as smart or barcode, depending on what equipment their stations have.
Transport for London (TfL) stations do not have barcode readers as TfL only issues tickets for Oyster or paper, along with Pay As You Go (PAYG).

Transport for London Settlement (13)

Elly Baker: The 1 June 2021 TfL Funding Settlement Letter says “TfL will commit to set aside at least £100m within the 2021 Funding Period to continue the delivery of healthy streets and active travel programmes including funding for the London Boroughs under the local implementation plan process. Within this funding, TfL will continue to prioritise the urgent delivery and operation of a temporary walking and cycle ferry as a replacement crossing for local communities affected by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge.” How much of the £100m in funding will be devoted to the Hammersmith Ferry?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is working through the implications of the funding and financing agreement reached with the Government on 1 June and the announcement by the London Borough of Hammersmith Fulham on 15 July.
The output of this work will form part of TfL’s Revised Budget process, which will be presented to TfL Board on 28 July for approval.
It should be noted that subsequent to the announcement by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham on 15 July, the Department for Transport has asked TfL to continue work on the ferry given the possibility that the bridge may have to close again to pedestrians and cyclists at short notice and the likelihood of some full closures of the bridge being required to facilitate long term repair work to the structure.

LFB Community Engagement (2)

Anne Clarke: What measures will you be putting in place during this mayoral term to ensure the work of the LFB is more transparent and able to give London’s communities more confidence in the Brigade?

The Mayor: As part of the community engagement pilots, London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been meeting members of the community within eight London boroughs to discuss ways in which the Brigade’s services can be shaped and improved. As a result of this feedback, LFB will be establishing a number of community forums that aim to provide local residents with an opportunity to learn more about LFB, provide direct feedback and help shape the Brigade’s service.
Alongside the community forums, LFB will also be working with local partners to use established engagement platforms within the boroughs to update residents. This ranges from having a section in partners' newsletters to bespoke meetings.
LFB will also useTalk London to communicate directly with Londoners and provide them with an opportunity to discuss a variety of topics including consultation in September on the principles of LFB's Community Risk Management Plan.

Taking People With You

Keith Prince: Do you agree with Assembly Member Cooper that, on transport changes, “Taking people with you is so critical.”?

The Mayor: Over the past five years Transport for London (TfL) has engaged and consulted extensively with communities on a range of policies and projects, from the Bakerloo line extension to new cycle routes. The pandemic brought with it a range of challenges, not least providing safe, easy and sustainable ways for people to travel around while social distancing measures were in place.
Along with London’s boroughs, TfL was asked by Government to introduce these temporary measures at pace, which meant engagement and consultation had to be done differently to how it had been done before.
While temporary schemes have been in place, TfL has met with local councillors and businesses, ran online meetings and conversations, and provided people with ways to share their feedback and suggestions. I am also pleased TfL has kept residents informed, and has explained any changes that have been made to schemes and how they are performing.

Compliance with Low Emission Zones

Zack Polanski: What are the current levels of vehicle compliance within the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion area, and how have they changed by year since these schemes were announced?

The Mayor: In March 2021, 87 per cent of vehicles complied with the ULEZ standards in central London and around 80 per cent of vehicles complied with the ULEZ standards in the expanded zone. The tougher LEZ standards for heavy vehicles were introduced on 1 March 2021, with vehicle compliance at 94 per cent.
Compliance rates with vehicle standards in the central ULEZ zone from its introduction in April 2019 are available in the 2020 monitoring report: www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/ulez_evaluation_report_2020-v8_finalfinal.pdf
Transport for London measures and reports on vehicle compliance with existing schemes in its quarterly fact sheets for ULEZ (www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/ultra-low-emission-zone#on-this-page-7) and LEZ (www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/low-emission-zone).

A24 Changes

Andrew Boff: Since you introduced the changes to the A24 in Wandsworth, TfL has ignored residents’ concerns and refused to listen or engage with people living on the Heaver Estate in South Balham. These concerns include: delaying emergency vehicles, hitting local businesses and worsening pollution for people living locally. What are you going to do about it?

The Mayor: Since Transport for London (TfL) introduced the upgraded scheme on the A24, it has engaged extensively with Londoners and acted on much of the feedback received. Over 1,500 emails have been received, and four updates have been issued addressing concerns, including informing them of engagement opportunities and explain how the scheme is performing. TfL also ran ‘community conversations’ in November, speaking with more than 50 local people, as well as attending site visits with councillors and speaking to several local businesses. They have also regularly engaged with emergency services, Members of Parliament and Assembly Members. Several changes have been made to what was originally introduced in summer last year, directly addressing the feedback received. This includes widening the gap between traffic wands to allow vehicles to pull over for emergency vehicles and providing additional loading and parking bays.
TfL will continue to engage with the local community and stakeholders.

LTNs in Tower Hamlets

Andrew Boff: Broken down by LTN, what assessments did TfL make of the LTNs that Tower Hamlets Council has introduced over the last 15 months?

The Mayor: London Borough of Tower Hamlets secured funding for two Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in 2020, as part of my Streetspace programme, and a further three under the Governments Active Travel Fund (ATF) tranche two. Transport for London (TfL) assessed all proposals in advance, based on a range of factors including location, likely network impact and effectiveness of measures. To secure funding under the second tranche of the ATF, boroughs were required to submit a monitoring plan to assess their effectiveness and understand the impacts on all road users.

TfL document requirements for applications for 60+ Oystercard

Nicholas Rogers: TfL’s requirement for applicants to provide documents proving their identify as part of the process for obtaining a 60+ Oystercard has proved difficult for some of my constituents who do not possess one of the 5 specified document proofs listed on the TfL website. Is there a reason why there is not an option to provide a National Insurance or National Health Service number instead as these are both linked to national databases where the names and dates of birth can be verified? And what is the process for applicants without any of the documents TfL currently specifies?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) does not have access to national health or insurance databases to validate names and dates of birth in this way. An NHS medical card is accepted where applicants verify their age at the Post Office.
Most applicants do hold at least one of the specified documents as evidence of age and address. In some cases, they do not and these are handled on a case by case basis. Customers in this situation are advised to contact TfL directly so that it can consider what evidence they may hold and explore the best way to progress their application.

CS3 Cycleway

Andrew Boff: The Assembly called on you to rename the CS3 Cycleway 'The Joshua Wong Cycleway', for as long as any of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy campaigners remain imprisoned. What progress is there on this request?

The Mayor: As explained in my response to your question 2020/4564, existing and new cycle routes across London are gradually being combined into a single unified Cycleways network, using the Cycleways branding. Concluded from comprehensive research, the approach would avoid confusion for existing and potential customers. As such, there are no current plans to rename the CS3 Cycleway ‘The Joshua Wong Cycleway’.
As a former human rights lawyer, I have always been a passionate defender of an independent judiciary, the protection of personal and political freedoms, and fundamental human rights. Whilst City Hall does not have any foreign policy making power, I completely support the UK Government in challenging the Chinese Government on these matters.

Transport for London Settlement (15)

Elly Baker: The 1 June 2021 TfL Funding Settlement Letter says, “TfL will also take all reasonable steps to avoid industrial action during the funding period”. Can you outline what steps you have taken since becoming Mayor and how your record on industrial action compares to your predecessor?

The Mayor: I’m proud to sit down regularly with the unions representing transport workers. This positive engagement is in stark contrast to the conflict under my predecessor. Days lost to strikes on London Underground are down by around 77%. I want to build on this, and continually improve employment relations.
Transport for London (TfL) is also fully committed to positive engagement with the Trade Unions, ensuring all parties are engaged and communicated with regarding any developments given the constant changing situation. TfL continues to engage at all levels of the organisation with the Trade Unions and is working hard to promote productive working relationships. TfL actively encourages representatives to raise items, issues and concerns with a view to supporting employees and the business by clarifying, answering and addressing matters in a constructive and collaborative manner. When there are issues of contention or that require resolution, TfL involves ACAS as appropriate to help facilitate resolution.
TfL has been very flexible in its approach to Trade Union meetings during the pandemic. At one stage, weekly meetings were held at both senior and company council levels to ensure the Trade Unions were kept up to date and so that Trade Union representatives could raise any issues or concerns. TfL has also convened a “Trade Union Full Time Officers Summit” where Managing Directors met with the Full Time Officers of the Trade Unions to provide updates and hear representations.

Transport for London Settlement (17)

Elly Baker: What plans, if any, do you have to amend existing plans to extend the ULEZ boundary from 25 October 2021?

The Mayor: I am fully committed to expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) from 25 October 2021, as it is a vital tool to improve London’s air quality for the long term.
Many Londoners have also already taken action, with 80 per cent of cars driving in the expanded zone on an average day meeting the ULEZ standards. Additionally, six in ten households in inner London do not own a car and therefore do not contribute to the harmful emissions that the ULEZ aims to reduce. It would be unfair to these groups, and irresponsible to those whose health will be affected, to delay the expansion of the zone.
The ULEZ expansion and the wider air quality programme are also a key part of my vision for a Green Recovery from the pandemic because it will support active travel, public transport, and zero emission fleets and help re-make our High Streets for all Londoners.

Transport for London Settlement (18)

Elly Baker: What is the expected cost in 2021/22 for travel concessions and/or other benefits above those typically available elsewhere in England (such as free travel for all Londoners aged under 18 and 60-65, excluding statutory entitlements including under the Education Act 1996)?

The Mayor: Transport for London estimates that the fares revenue foregone due to these concessions will be in the range £110m to £130m per year once pandemic-related restrictions are largely lifted. The figure for 2021/22 will most likely be lower than this given the restrictions in place until 19 July and the potential for restrictions of some form to return later in the year should there be a resurgence of the virus.

Safer Streets Fund

Andrew Boff: Why was Camden, or the three wards of Kings Cross, Bloomsbury, and Holborn & Covent Garden, not put forward for the Safer Streets Fund, despite meeting the criteria?

The Mayor: All the boroughs that submitted applications for the second round of the Safer Streets Fund met the Home Office eligibility criteria. However, we were only able to submit a total of three bids to the Home Office, and we received nine bids for the second round.
Therefore, meeting the eligibility criteria was only one factor that had to be taken into consideration. MOPAC and GLA officers had the difficult task of assessing the strength of the bids that were submitted and likelihood of success.

Homicides (1)

Susan Hall: For each year financial year, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 how many people were identified as a suspect for a homicide and how many left the country?

The Mayor: Please see attached the requested data. The supplied notes page should be read in conjunction with the data to aid in interpretation.

The Mayor: 2962_Homicide (1).xlsx

Homicides (2)

Susan Hall: For each year financial year, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 how many victims of homicide knew the perpetrator, and how many did not?

The Mayor: 2963_Homicide (2).xlsx

Urgent Safety Review of St Helier Avenue

Leonie Cooper: With two traffic fatalities, and other accidents, many local residents are very concerned with the speed of the traffic and the difficulty for pedestrians to cross St Helier Avenue. Could immediate consideration be given to reducing the speed limit, followed by an urgent safety review?

The Mayor: My thoughts are with the all the people affected by road collisions in London. Both myself and Transport for London (TfL) share a Vision Zero ambition to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from London’s transport network.
TfL is currently investigating the corridor that runs from the Royal Marsden campus in LB Sutton to Morden, via Sutton town centre, which includes St Helier Avenue. This involves a detailed analysis along the length of this corridor to consider opportunities for improvement. Particular objectives for this corridor include road danger reduction, enhancing conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and improving bus performance.
This investigation is currently expected to conclude in the autumn after which potential solutions will be identified. The precise interventions that could follow will be dependent on the results of the investigation and the overall capital investment budget available to TfL after further funding negotiations with Government.
Working with the Metropolitan Police, TfL has also developed a process so that borough officers can request targeted speed enforcement at locations where they believe there is an acute or urgent need. I urge borough officers to work with TfL and the police to determine what additional enforcement may be required in this location.

Port of London Thames Vision

Leonie Cooper: The Port of London Authority is currently refreshing its Thames Vision. How is the GLA contributing to this?

The Mayor: The Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL) work closely with the Port of London Authority (PLA), engaging through the Thames and London Waterways Forum (TLWF) and already have a shared commitment to the current Thames Vision 2035. A joint response from the GLA and TfL was recently submitted to the PLA’s initial stakeholder engagement on the Thames Vision 2050. The response highlights my priorities for the future of the Thames including environment, land use, culture, passenger transport and freight.
In 2019, the GLA and the PLA commissioned The Case for a River Thames Cultural Vision. Officers from across the GLA directorate, including Culture and the Creative Industries, contributed to the development of the vision.
My Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration & Skills, Jules Pipe sits on the Thames Estuary Growth Board. In July 2020, the Thames Estuary Growth Board announced its support of the Thames Estuary Production Corridor (TEPC) in its first action plan, ‘The Green Blue’. Justine Simons OBE, my Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, sees the TEPC as key to strengthening culture and creative industries in London and across the South-East. The programme is referenced throughout The Case for A River Thames Cultural Vision and seeks to build a world-class centre for creative and cultural production along the Thames Estuary, from film and TV to fashion, theatre, dance, music and gaming.

Crossrail 2

Leonie Cooper: I understand safeguarding is being extended for certain sites in my constituency, to allow for the possible construction of Crossrail 2. Please could you give an update on the timeline associated with Crossrail 2?

The Mayor: As noted in response to Mayoral Question 2021/1083 in March 2021, progress on Crossrail 2 has been paused with the exception of updating the 2015 Safeguarding Directions in order that they reflect the scheme following public consultation, engagement and design development over the last 6 years and ensure the deliverability of Crossrail 2 in the future.
As noted in the update provided in response to Mayoral Question 2021/2658 in June 2021, Transport for London (TfL) staff are in regular contact with colleagues at the Department for Transport (DfT) to discuss the safeguarding position and associated timeframes for updating these directions. The decision is, however, ultimately a Ministerial one and this is being sought. At this time TfL cannot provide a definitive timeline for when the Directions will be updated, although TfL very much hope it will be as soon as possible this year.

Violent Crime

Leonie Cooper: In the past few weeks, there have been several violent fatalities in Merton and Wandsworth, including a drive-by shooting on Bedford Hill. What more is planned to tackle this in my constituency over the summer months?

The Mayor: The Commissioner and Ihave set out a significant multi-agency plan to tackle violence this summer in London. The plans bring together the police, City Hall, localauthorities and criminal justice partners and communities to work more closely than ever before across the city to drive down violence.This partnership approach focuses on enforcement to bear down on offenders, and early intervention to provide positive opportunities and prevent violence from happening in the first place. Officers are increasing visible patrols in violence and robbery hotspots and executing multiple search warrants, and undertaking intelligence led stop and searches to target drug dealing and weapon possession. MPS Gangs Team are actively developing intelligence on gang members and are targeting their activities. Licensing Officers continue to scrutinise license applications to help reduce incidences of violence, and our Schools Officers are also delivering programmes on reducing youth violence.

Domestic Abuse (7)

Sem Moema: What work is MOPAC undertaking to assist in the provision of emergency support for survivors of domestic abuse, including out of hours support?

The Mayor: The London Victim and Witness Service (LVWS) is the main ‘front door’ for victims seeking support in London, including support for survivors of domestic abuse. The service operates a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week live chat and telephone helpline service.
Alongside this, MOPAC commissions a number of specialist organisations, for example services provided by ‘by and for’ black and minoritised, disabled and LGBTQ+ people, who also provide support outside of ‘usual’ operating hours.
MOPAC also contributes to domestic abuse service provision commissioned by local boroughs though the London Crime Prevention Fund. Some of these local services provide ‘out of hours’ support.

Domestic Abuse (8)

Sem Moema: On how many occasions has the MPS been approached for information on a partner’s history of domestic abuse under Clare’s Law, for each year since this legislation was passed?

The Mayor: Year
Count of Clare's Law Right to Ask
2015
86
2016
119
2017
123
2018
194
2019
763
2020
1227
2021
704
Grand Total
3216
A Count of Clare's Law with the Right to Ask - Recorded between 05/03/2015 and 30/06/2021.

Expanded ULEZ (2)

Leonie Cooper: What challenges have been identified in relation to the delivery of the expanded ULEZ? How is TfL working to address these?

The Mayor: The expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be 18 times larger than the current ULEZ. This will require over 2000 pieces of new infrastructure to be installed in or around the zone, significant upgrades to IT systems and operational capacity to support the much bigger volumes of transactions, and a substantial communications and engagement campaign to prepare customers for the introduction of the scheme.
This level of work comes with many challenges, such as the technical challenge of redeveloping and integrating multiple software applications and robustly testing these to ensure that they work together. The COVID-19 restrictions over the last year have added to these challenges.
However, Transport for London is addressing these challenges by utilising lessons learned on previous schemes, including the central London ULEZ, having an experienced delivery team and supply chain, ensuring that an adequate amount of time contingency was allocated in the delivery schedule and securing appropriate specialist technical expertise to help assure delivery.

Expanded ULEZ (1)

Leonie Cooper: What assessment has been made of TfL’s readiness for expanding the ULEZ zone out to the north and south circulars?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is on-track to deliver the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone in October 2021, working within the robust governance and assurance frameworks established around TfL’s Investment Programme. This framework requires project authorities and approvals to be sought at regular intervals supported by ‘gate’ reviews at which independent assurers review and report on progress, controls and preparedness.
A four-weekly cycle of progress and status reporting which involves cross disciplinary review is in place. The analysis and reporting are augmented by various four weekly and quarterly delivery reviews where aspects such as progress against schedule and cost management are further considered. Furthermore, specific and detailed status and readiness reviews are scheduled in the coming months to examine preparedness for the various aspects of the actual scheme launch in October.

Beyond the ULEZ

Leonie Cooper: How can further improvements be made to London’s air quality once the expanded ULEZ is in place, especially along the north and south circular roads?

The Mayor: to improve London’s air quality, including cleaning up London’s bus and taxi fleets, reducing emissions from construction, promoting the uptake of electric vehicles, and enabling people to switch to walking, cycling and public transport.
Together, the expansion of the ULEZ and tougher Londonwide Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards will improve air quality on and around the boundary roads and lead to 92 per cent of roads across London meeting legal limits for nitrogen dioxide this year.
My officers are currently updating the London AtmosphericEmissions Inventory(LAEI),with a new version to be published later this year. This will provide the most up to date information and enable us to identify the location and cause ofthe remaining areas exceeding legal limits. Workingclosely withGovernment and the boroughs,Icanthendeliver the most effectivesolutionsas soon as possible.

Drugs (5)

Tony Devenish: For each financial year, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 how many meth labs were found in London?

The Mayor: Please see requested data within the table below where dates are only displayed where data has been retrieved:
Row Labels
Total
FY 2017/18
1
FY 2020/21
2
Volumes relate to crime reports recorded as 'production or being concerned in production of a controlled drug: Class A - Crystal Meths'.

Excessive Residential Tube Noise

Tony Devenish: Given the squeeze on TfL finances, how are you prioritising the reduction of excessive residential Tube noise, as promised to a cross-Party group of Assembly Members by Andy Lord in a letter on 15th March 2021 and by you in your answer to Mayoral Question 2020/3757?

The Mayor: Tube noise is a priority for both Transport for London (TfL) and me.
TfL is continuing to tackle Tube noise through a number of different methods. This includes rail grinding, which works by smoothing rails and removing rail corrugation, which is often the root cause of residential noise. TfL will continue to carry out rail grinding, as well as other targeted interventions to reduce noise, including the removal of redundant rail joints, the maintenance of points and crossings, and re-ballasting track where required.
In the past six months alone, TfL has carried out the following works in order to address residential Tube noise:
TfL remain in discussions with the Government on their need for further financial support and a long-term capital funding deal. In the meantime, their ability to carry out Tube noise related work – particularly long-term and expensive interventions – is limited and will likely remain so.

Personal Escape Plans for Disabled Londoners in Buildings Under 18m (3)

Hina Bokhari: If Government continues to refuse to provide free evacuation plans to disabled residents in all low and high-rise blocks in London will you work with housing associations, boroughs and others to ensure that all disabled Londoners in such blocks have personal evacuation plans in place at no cost to leaseholders?

The Mayor: I have submitted a response to the government Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan consultation and I await the government’s response with interest. I am committed to ensuring the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s 46 Phase 1 recommendations are implemented in full by the organisations under my control, and I will do all in my power to ensure that other organisations do the same.

Personal Escape Plans for Disabled Londoners in Buildings Under 18m (2)

Hina Bokhari: Not only are disabled Londoners in blocks less than seven storey (or under 18m) being refused a mandatory personal escape plan by Government, but many disabled Londoners and their neighbours are also being told they could have to pay for personal evacuation plans through service charges. Do you agree with this approach and what are you doing to ensure that personal evacuation plans are not added to service charges?

The Mayor: I have responded to the Government consultation in support of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans. The response can be found here. I believe all residents should have a plan to evacuate a building in case of an emergency. In my consultation response, I have made clear the costs of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans should not be passed onto residents directly or indirectly. A central fund should be set up to cover the costs.

Action to reach Vision Zero goal (2)

Siân Berry: Thank you for your answer to my question 2021/1473. What actions are you going to take in the current financial year to support reaching your Vision Zero goal?

The Mayor: Vision Zero is an extremely stretching target. While good progress has been made to date, it will continue to require comprehensive action by a wide range of agencies and organisations. That is why Transport for London (TfL) has set out a Safe Systems approach in its Vision Zero Action Plan. This internationally recognised framework ensures that we target safe speeds, safe streets, safe vehicles and safe behaviours.
In the current financial year TfL will continue with a broad range of activity under these headings including:
In addition to the above, TfL is currently reviewing the Vision Zero Action Plan and working with stakeholders to identify what additional activity may be required to enhance it in response to emerging trends since its publication. This update will be published in the Autumn.

Keeping bus fares affordable

Siân Berry: Your manifesto committed to keep bus fares as low as possible. On current projections, with annual increases of Retail Prices Index (RPI) plus 1 per cent, this means a single bus fare could reach £1.80 by January 2024. Will you commit to preventing this?

The Mayor: Bus fares are much more affordable now than when I became Mayor thanks to my four-year fares freeze and the introduction of the Bus Hopper.While the effect of the pandemic on Transport for London’s finances means that all options to generate revenue must be seriously considered,the affordability of buses for the millions of Londoners who rely on themremains a key priority.

Hammersmith Bridge (4)

Nicholas Rogers: What work is TfL doing to support the possible reopening of Hammersmith Bridge to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic this summer?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/2244.

Hammersmith Bridge (3)

Nicholas Rogers: Please outline what actions you have taken and what conversations you have had with Cllr Stephen Cowan to persuade him to commit to making a reasonable financial contribution to the full repair of Hammersmith Bridge as outlined in the TfL funding deal published on 1st June. Please include dates and times of conversations.

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/2391.

Hammersmith Bridge (2)

Nicholas Rogers: Since the last Mayor’s Question Time, what specific conversations have you had (dates and times please) with Cllr Stephen Cowan, leader of the LB of Hammersmith & Fulham, about Hammersmith Bridge?

The Mayor: My Deputy Mayor for Transport attended meetings of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce, along with Cllr Cowan of Hammersmith and Fulham on 3 June and 20 July. I understand discussions on these occasions have been supplemented by other direct conversations.
The Taskforce on 3 June discussed how the next stage of repairs to the bridge should be taken forward, as well as progress on the temporary pedestrian and cycle ferry. Transport for London officers also met with LBHF and Department for Transport officials on 7 June and 10 June to progress this work further.
On 15 July LBHF announced that it would reopen the bridge on 17 July to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic. I know that the closure of the bridge has caused upheaval for residents and businesses, so this was a very welcome development. As requested by Government, TfL will continue to work on delivering the ferry as it provides contingency if the bridge needs to close at short notice or for planned restoration works.
This is in addition to the actions referenced in my responses to Mayor’s Questions 2021/2244 and 2021/2390.

Pride month (2)

Leonie Cooper: What the police are doing to tackle the rising hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people in our city?

The Mayor: I have been clear throughout my Mayoralty that I will not tolerate hate crime against any of London’s communities, and I remain fully committed to tackling hate crime and supporting victims.
Both MOPAC and the MPS undertake a significant amount of stakeholder engagement with London’s LGBT+ communities to ensure their voice is heard in terms of both the police response and how we support those subjected to homophobic hate crime. This includes preventative policing plans in all BCUs that enable police teams to respond to any increase in hate incidents and, when necessary, provide an additional presence at specific locations such as LGBT+ friendly venues and transport hubs.
In addition, the MPS has a 250 strong network of LGBTQ+ Advisers (made up of police officers and staff) who work with partners to devise strategies to prevent and tackle homophobic hate crime. These advisors complement the work of the BCU Hate Crime Outcomes and Performance Officers (HCOP), advising communities how to stay safe, building trust and confidence to report hate crime when it does occur, and ensuring victims receive the specialist support that will best meet their needs.
However, as well as providing a robust response to hate crime, I believe it’s equally important to send a message to those who would seek to divide us, by celebrating the diversity in our great city. I’ve been proud to stand alongside London’s LGBT+ communities, hosting London’s Annual Pride Reception at City Hall for the three years preceding the pandemic and lockdown and launching a number of health and inequality initiatives.

Mask wearing

Onkar Sahota: It is to be welcomed that the Mayor is keeping compulsory mask wearing on Transport to London. What work is the Mayor doing to encourage that mask wearing will continue in indoor spaces across London in the immediate future?

The Mayor: I strongly believe that the simplest and safest option would have been for Ministers to retain the national legal requirement for face coverings on public transport and shops. Transport for London has made wearing face coverings a condition of carriage on all TfL services. I will continue to use my communication channels to encourage Londoners to wear face coverings in busy indoor spaces such as shops and supermarkets.

Toilet status in TfL Go

Siân Berry: You now have improved abilities to provide information on the status of lifts in the TfL Go app. Will you also work to include details on the availability of toilets so that Londoners can both see the actual availability of toilets and report any issues they might find?

The Mayor: The Transport for London (TfL) Go app currently shows toilet types and this includes information on accessibility status and whether baby change facilities are available. This information is updated in line with changes to the printed toilets map (also available on the TfL website).
There are ongoing discussions regarding an improved process for monitoring extended toilet outages so that more frequent updates can be made to digital channels including the TfL website and TfL Go.

Updated Privacy Impact Assessment for TfL Go

Siân Berry: Will Transport for London (TfL) update their Data Privacy Impact Assessment (DPIA) for the TfL Go app and their API services now that they are providing crowding data based on monitoring of passengers use of Wi-Fi services in the underground network? Will you also update your DPIA for the data you are now sharing on tube crowding?

The Mayor: The crowding data now provided in the Transport for London (TfL) Go app and through TfL’s API services is an aggregated output from TfL’s analysis of Wi-Fi connection data on the Tube and is not personal data. Its use therefore does not have any privacy implications and as a result the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) for the TfL Go app does not require any update. As none of the data feeds available through TfL’s API services include personal data, no DPIA has been completed of those services.
Privacy notices and DPIAs for Wi-Fi data collection and TfL Go are published on the TfL website and provide details of how any data collected is processed: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/privacy-and-cookies/wi-fi-data-collection and https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/privacy-and-cookies/tfl-go
The privacy notices will be updated to refer explicitly to the inclusion of crowding data within TfL Go, and links will be added to refer each notice to one another. The Wi-Fi data collection privacy notice already refers to the potential of Wi-Fi data analytics to provide a better understanding of crowding and explains other uses, such as identifying footfall flows within and between stations.

Impact of Expanded ULEZ on Residents on Lower Wages

Nicholas Rogers: The daily ULEZ charge would impact on residents on lower wages – suchas carers and nurses – who cannot afford to replace their vehicles. TheMayor’spolicy of expanding the ULEZ would cause these residents financial hardship, what would he suggest they do?

The Mayor: Only drivers of vehicles that do not meet the ULEZ standards will be required to pay the charge to travel in the expanded ULEZ, and already four in five cars seen in the expanded zone are compliant. Additionally, around 60 per cent of households within the expanded zone do not own a car.
Drivers do not have to purchase a brand-new vehicle to meet the ULEZ standards. Nearly all petrol vehicles from 2005 and diesel vehicles from 2015 are compliant, meaning there are a range of affordable second-hand vehicle options available. Many Londoners will also be able to walk, cycle or use public transport for their journeys.
My ULEZ car and motorcycle scrappage scheme is available to support low income and disabled Londoners and provides financial support for drivers of non-compliant vehicles to switch to cleaner vehicles or greener forms of transport. Further details of this can be found here: www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/scrappage-schemes.

8 Albert Embankment (1)

Anne Clarke: How much money has been spent on maintaining and securing the Albert Embankment site since it was called in, in June 2020?

The Mayor: The breakdown of costs for maintaining and securing the 8 Albert Embankment site for the period June 2020 – June 2021 (inclusive) is provided in the table below. Operational delivery has continued to take place from the site during that time, including Lambeth fire station and London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) CBRN Rapid Response Team.
Rates, utilities, and cleaning costs have been included to provide clarity on total running costs. LFB pays rates on the operational fire station only as the remainder of that building and the former Command and Mobilising Centre have exemptions meaning that no rates are payable.Maintenance costs do not include additional cleaning costs incurred as a result of COVID-19.
The security costs are in relation to the 8 Albert Embankment Rear Block site.This is an annual cost met by the developer U+I who are responsible for security arrangements which, under the terms of the lease, is reimbursed annually by LFB and offset by any income U+I may have generated. As security costs are paid annually in arrears, the amount below reflects the monthly cost in 2020/21, applied over a 13-month timespan. Responsibility for business rates on the Rear Block site rests with U+I.
Lambeth Fire Station
Building Maintenance
249,170.68
Cleaning and Domestic Supplies
28,577.17
Energy Costs
77,436.48
Fixtures & Fittings
247.15
Grounds Maintenance
131.64
Premises Security
1,350.00
Property Rates
137,678.20
Water & Sewerage Rates
13,835.14
Other Property Services
11,364.84
Sub total
£ 519,791.30
Security (Rear Block Site)
83,416.30
Grand Total
£603,207.60

Piccadilly Line Rolling Stock (2)

Nicholas Rogers: When will the new Piccadilly Line rolling stock be in full use?

The Mayor: The new Piccadilly line rolling stock will enter passenger service from 2025. As the new trains are introduced, the current fleet will be gradually withdrawn from passenger service, and the frequency of trains in peak hours is planned to rise from 24 to 27 trains per hour from mid-2027.

Reassurance Messaging

Caroline Pidgeon: What reassurance messaging are you promoting to help more people have the confidence to start using public transport again? Will you consider the wider rollout of hand sanitisers, including looking at whether these can be provided on buses?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s (TfL) Tube ridership is around 45 per cent and bus ridership at 65 per cent compared to before the coronavirus pandemic.
Those using public transport are influenced most by the service itself, therefore TfL is focussed on providing a safe, clean and reliable service. TfL continues to advertise these messages on posters across its network and on commercial radio. TfL also has a leaflet drop planned, targeting those who are less confident about using the network and who are less likely to see its messages on the network.The leaflet, which will be delivered to around 600,000 households, contains information on what TfL is doing to keep the network safe. TfL also provides regular reassurance messages on customer emails and social media and it has a dedicated coronavirus webpage that includes a video showing its cleaning regime.
I recently announced that the use of face masks will continue to be required on all TfL services from 19 July. TfL also provides customers with information about station busyness, both on TfL Go and the website, to allow customers to plan journeys for quieter times.
With regard to your second question, hand sanitiser is available at all stations, including bus stations. It would not be practical to install these on buses, as they cannot be easily refilled while the bus is in service and could cause a slip hazard.

Drugs (2)

Tony Devenish: Do you know, for each financial year, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 how many people from London were arrested for smuggling drugs into the UK?

The Mayor: This information is not held by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Station accessibility in Brent and Harrow Constituency

Krupesh Hirani: Please can you advise what plans there are to increase the number of accessible stations within the Brent and Harrow constituency over the next three years?

The Mayor: Please see my responses to Mayor’s Questions 2021/3167 and 2021/3168, where I set out details on plans for Harrow-on-the-Hill and Sudbury Hill Underground stations, which are due to become step-free later this year.
Network Rail is also investigating options to make Queens Park station step-free, but timescales and funding are still to be confirmed.
Unfortunately, Transport for London (TfL) is not able to provide a detailed timetablefor increasing the number of step-free stations on the network due to the uncertainty of its long-term financial situation. TfL and I will continue making the case to Government for the long-term funding support that TfL needs following the impact of coronavirus on its finances, and consequently on the step-free access (SFA) programme.
TfL also continues to work with stakeholders and developers to explore options for third party funding opportunities to investigate and deliver further step-free access work at locations across its network.
For future programmes, TfL is developing a detailed methodology to determine how stations should be prioritised for step-free access. Engagement with our disabled and older customers will form a vital piece of this work. Stations in Brent and Harrow will be considered in this project, along with all stations currently without step-free access.

Drugs (3)

Tony Devenish: Do you know what proportion of cannabis in London is home grown and what proportion is imported?

The Mayor: The MPS does not hold this information.

Drugs (4)

Tony Devenish: For each financial year, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 how many cannabis farms were found in London and how many of these had over 50 plants?

The Mayor: Please see attached the requested data. The supplied notes page should be read in conjunction with the data to aid in interpretation.

The Mayor: 2989_Drugs (4).xlsx

The Role of Prejudicial Stereotypes in the Formation of Suspicion – Stop and Search (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: The recent research paper (The role of prejudicial stereotypes in the formation of suspicion: An examination of operational procedures in stop and search practices) also stated “it was found that the recorded grounds for stop and search in the documentary records we examined were lacking in detail concerning information that would have been known to police officers.” Is the Met confident in the record keeping and recorded grounds for all stop and search activities conducted by its officers and how is this being monitored?

The Mayor: Stop and search is an intrusive tactic. It is important that it is used lawfully and proportionately to maintain trust and confidence and the Met Police take this responsibility seriously. Officers are required to record all grounds that justify them in performing a search and these records are supervised. Every frontline officer in the Met also has Body worn video (BWV), which plays an important role in monitoring the use of police powers. Officers are required to engage their BWV for every stop and search and compliance rates are very high, with officers engaging BWV 97% of the time, which improves monitoring and accountability.
As a result of my Action Plan for Transparency, Accountability and Trust in Policing and recommendations made by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, the MPS continues to review stop and search practices to ensure the powers are used lawfully and proportionately.
A number of key changes have been implemented in response, which includeincreased supervision, enhanced community-based training, which enables officers to see the impact on those who are stopped and searched and improved scrutiny and training focused on unconscious bias. My Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is maintaining oversight of this work through her regular meetings with the senior MPS officer lead for stop and search.

8 Albert Embankment planning application (2)

Tony Devenish: How much did the London Fire Brigade and the GLA spend on defending this application and the Mayor’s planning decision, following call-in by the Secretary of State?

The Mayor: Since 11 June 2020 when the Secretary of State called in the application for determination, London Fire Brigade have incurred £57k on professional consultancy fees. All legal costs of the planning inquiry were met by developer U+I and are within the terms of the Development Agreement. The GLA was not involved in the public inquiry so did not incur additional costs beyond those associated with the Stage 1/2 process.

8 Albert Embankment planning application (1)

Tony Devenish: Why did the London Fire Brigade seek to impose, and the Mayor support, a planning application at the former LFB headquarters at 8 Albert Embankment which caused significant harm to listed buildings, the local conservation area, and local amenity, which ultimately had to be called-in and rejected by the Secretary of State?

The Mayor: The Secretary of State’s decision is an extremely disappointing outcome for London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) plans for a refurbished Lambeth Fire Station and a new permanent home for the LFB museum. It also means the much-needed capital receipt is further delayed which impacts upon LFB’s ability to fund the capital programme.
Prior to the application, extensive analysis and research on the scheme was undertaken by LFB’s development partner, U+I, who liaised with Historic England throughout the process. The proposed scheme generates heritage benefits as both the former LFB headquarters building and drill tower are Grade II listed and the scheme delivers partial re-use of the former HQ building and restoration of the drill tower for LFB’s operational purposes. This scheme was intended to preserve their historic significance and secure their long-term future and Historic England were consulted properly and fully at every stage of the planning process. Their detailed feedback was amended throughout the planning approval process however this did not result in a formal objection by them to the proposals.

Office Space Review

Neil Garratt: What work are you undertaking to address the uncertain future of office space in London?

The Mayor: Earlier this year I commissioned Arup to review the impact on the pandemic on London’s Central Activities Zone (CAZ), where much of London’s office space is based. The research found that office occupiers will re-assess their needs but will not abandon the CAZ. It went on to model three key scenarios that are informing our planning for the future of office space in central London.
The Arup research also identified an immediate prospect for expansion of office accommodation in the rest of London. In response, I published ‘The Future of Workspace On Our High Streets’ pamphlet, which provides a highly visual guide to repurposing underused retail space and public sector assets.
Many employers, including the GLA, are exploring a hybrid model of working whereby most staff split their time between remote and office working. The pandemic has clearly changed the pattern of work in this country, but many central London’s businesses depend on footfall that comes from office workers. There are also significant benefits to workers meeting in the office, such as creative collaboration, mentoring and team building. So while there are benefits to people’s work-life balance of not being in the office every day Monday to Friday, seeing more people safely return to offices and workplaces will be an important part of our economic recovery.

Restorative Justice (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: In answer to MQ 2019/8794 you stated that “MOPAC is part of the London Restorative Justice Network which continues to explore ways to promote the merits of restorative approaches across a range of public services including the criminal justice system.” Can you update me on how MOPAC has developed and advanced its work with the London Restorative Justice Network since 2019?

The Mayor: The London Restorative Justice Network is, in its current format, primarily made up of restorative justice practitioners who use the forum to share experience, expertise and good practice. As such, since 2019 MOPAC’s pan-London restorative justice service is represented by Calm Mediation, the specialist restorative justice partner within the integrated London Victim and Witness Service.
The network also invites other organisations to present on developments, projects of interest and specialist services. MOPAC officers last attended the network in 2019, as commissioner of the new London and Victim Witness Service. MOPAC remains open to invitations in the event of further developments or when officers can add value to the forum’s discourse.

Child Safeguarding and the Met (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: There has previously been criticism and concern that the Met has not had appropriate flags on its systems to identify child criminal exploitation, including understanding if a child is in an out of area placement. Given the concerns that have been raised over child safeguarding in the Met previously by HMICFRS, how are you working to ensure all information that could flag child criminal exploitation is marked as a flag on the system, including if a child is a care leaver, in an out of area placement or in the care of the local authority?

The Mayor: The MPS now record all concerns of child exploitation on a specific new crime report which is programmed to prompt the officer to identify and detail the risk at the recording stage of the investigation.
The 2021 Child Exploitation Pan London Protocol details the process for the MPS and Local Authority that must be followed if a child moves to a care setting either within or outside of the London area. A time limit of 24 hours is placed on this process. The relevant Multi Agency Criminal Exploitation (MACE) meeting will work to ensure the correct systems/procedures are in place for all child placements.

Small Businesses on the TfL Estate

Nicholas Rogers: Please outline what support TfL has given during the pandemic to the many small businesses located on its estate?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has more than 2,500 tenants on its estate, 93 per cent of whom are smallandmedium enterprises (SMEs).
At the start of the pandemic, TfLwas the first major landlord to announce fullrent relief forthe March to June 2020 financial quarter for all SMEs on its estate, with further support subsequently announced for the second quarter.Since September 2020, TfL hasundertaken hundredsof business health checks withitstenants which have shaped thetargetedsupport offeredto individual businesses.
In addition to the direct supportprovided to its tenants,TfL has also promoted businesses across its estates, and the second ‘Arch Day’ celebration has just taken place, where TfL recognised the great work undertaken by its tenants over the last year to support local communities.
TfL’s approachhas been reflected in the significant improvement in TfL’s tenant satisfaction rating is testament to TfL’s approach.

E-scooter Trial

Nicholas Rogers: In your view, what does a successful outcome of London’s e-scooter trial look like?

The Mayor: The e-scooter trial is an opportunity to learn more about a new mode of transport in London under controlled circumstances before any changes to legislation are made. Working together on the project, Transport for London (TfL), London Councils and the participating London boroughs have a number of key learning objectives. These are to:
Success will be the ability to learn in all these areas: delivering a safe trial; easing congestion on the transport network through the pandemic recovery; ensuring that we understand how e-scooter rental might work in London in the future; and to help inform and shape any future Government legislation on e-scooters.

Hammersmith Bridge

Nicholas Rogers: Please give an update on what actions you have taken since the last MQT to support the work being undertaken to reopen Hammersmith Bridge to cyclists and pedestrians.

The Mayor: Since the last Mayor’s Question Time, Transport for London (TfL) has completed investigations of the bridge chain knuckles and leaves and has taken appropriate action to address issues identified. This has included the removal of corrosion, installation of a new washer plate and application of heavy-duty corrosion protection paint. LBHF considered the results of these investigations, alongside other reports it has commissioned, and announced on 15 July that it will reopen the bridge on 17 July to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic. I know that the closure of the bridge has caused upheaval for residents and businesses, so this comes as very welcome news.
In addition, there have been several meetings with Government and LBHF officials to progress the Memorandum of Understanding between these parties that will set out how the wider long-term repairs will be funded. My Deputy Mayor for Transport attended the meeting of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce on 20 July. TfL has also prepared a repair methodology for stabilising the bridge which would make it safe in the long term and allow it to be permanently reopened for walking, cycling and river traffic.

Hammersmith Ferry

Nicholas Rogers: Please give an update on progress with the Hammersmith Ferry and please give an assessment of whether you are on course to meet the first week of September target for commencing operations?

The Mayor: The planning applications for the temporary ferry infrastructure were validated on 21 June. The statutory public consultation closes on 16 July for the London Borough of Richmond and 21 July for the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (LBHF), after which time both boroughs must consider any submissions received and determine the applications.
The work to construct the new temporary piers for the ferry service can only start once planning approval has been granted by the boroughs. Transport for London (TfL) is working extremely closely with both boroughs to get pedestrians and cyclists across the Thames as soon as possible, while ensuring adequate time for public consultation.
On 15 July LBHF announced it would reopen the bridge on 17 July to pedestrians, cyclists and river traffic. As requested by Government, TfL will continue to work on delivering the ferry as it provides contingency if the bridge needs to close at short notice or for planned restoration works.

Off-Road Motorcycle Policing in South London

Caroline Pidgeon: In answer to MQ 2021/1401 you stated that the Met only had two off-road motorcycles and only two trained officers to ride them. Illegal motorcycle use, especially in areas such as parks is an issue in certain areas of South London in particular. Do you share my concerns over the lack of off-road motorcycles and trained officers given the prevalence of these crimes in boroughs such as Sutton?

The Mayor: The MPS is aware of community concerns around anti-social behaviour and crime caused by motorcycles riding off-road in Sutton, Croydon & Bromley and is working with partners to resolve these issues.

Personal Escape Plans for Disabled Londoners in Buildings Under 18m (1)

Hina Bokhari: A key recommendation in part one of the Grenfell Tower Fire Report in 2019 was that individual emergency evacuation plans should be a legal requirement for all disabled individuals in high-rise blocks. Yet despite this recommendation Government has ruled out personal evacuation plans for disabled individuals in blocks less than seven storeys (or under 18m). What are you doing to highlight this issue with Government and ensure all disabled Londoners can be as safe as possible in their homes?

The Mayor: I am committed to doing everything within my powers to ensure all the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations are implemented.
I welcome the Government consultation on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans and my response can be found here. The proposals are a positive step towards improving public safety however my view is that they should go further and include all buildings under the Fire Safety Order regardless of height.
My London Plan responds to the needs of disabled Londoners and requires the highest standards of accessible and inclusive design be met, facilitating safe and dignified evacuation.

Audible E-scooter Signal

Nicholas Rogers: What work has TfL done to support the development of an appropriate e-scooter audible signal, as requested by many visually impaired, elderly and disabled Londoners?

The Mayor: Minimum rental e-scooter vehicle standards are set by the Department for Transport (DfT) and require each vehicle to be fitted with a bell or horn suitable for giving audible warning of the approach or position of the vehicle. Transport for London (TfL) has additionally required that this is positioned where a rider does not have to remove their grip of the handlebar to access it.
TfL is working with operators as they explore the possibility of installing additional audible signals on the rental e-scooters and will support their introduction where it becomes possible, although a roll out date has not yet been set.
TfL remains committed to engaging with stakeholder groups throughout the trial to ensure impacts are considered, kept under review and features are improved wherever possible. TfL has also strongly encouraged operators to work directly with these stakeholders as they develop options to improve safety and detectability, and is aware operators are actively doing so.
TfL’s publicly available Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) is available here https://content.tfl.gov.uk/rental-escooter-trial-2021.pdf and details all of the engagement undertaken by TfL up until the end of May 2021, along with the impacts considered and mitigations in place.

Piccadilly Line Rolling Stock (1)

Nicholas Rogers: When can we expect delivery of the new Piccadilly Line rolling stock?

The Mayor: The first new Piccadilly line trains will be delivered to London in 2024 for a programme of testing to prove reliability as well as to train and familiarise train operations and maintenance staff. They will then enter passenger service from 2025.

World Car Free Day

Elly Baker: On 22 September 2019 27km of roads around Tower Bridge, London Bridge and the City of London were closed for World Car Free Day. What plans do you have to close roads for World Car Free Day this year?

The Mayor: The pandemic has significantly impacted the capacity and resources of the Greater London Authority, Transport for London (TfL) and the London boroughs. Therefore, there are no plans to implement large-scale road closures for World Car Free Day this year. Instead, my focus will be on the world-leading expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in October.
I continue to support the delivery of car-free spaces in the capital and have already delivered over 260km of safe cycle lanes and supported over 300 school streets. I will continue to invest in enabling more walking and cycle and support the innovative use of timed changes to streets, including ‘Summer Streeteries’ and ‘Lunchtime Streets’, which are supporting the return of the hospitality sector.
My “Let’s Do London” programme for central London will also prioritise people and celebrate London’s culture. As part of this, London Play will transform central London’s streets for families and play throughout the summer.
Working with TfL, I will continue to explore options for future car-free days in London.

Reducing Pollution

Leonie Cooper: A recent survey by Renault found that 50% of drivers would be willing to change their journeys to reduce pollution, particularly near schools. How do we harness this willingness and extend it to changing modes of transport to improve air quality too?
Air Quality news, ‘50% of drivers would be willing to change their journeys to reduce pollution,‘ 8 June 2021

The Mayor: Encouraging mode shift is the cornerstone of my Transport Strategy, which sets the ambitious target of 80 per cent of journeys to be made by walking, cycling or public transport by 2041. Through Transport for London (TfL) and working with the boroughs, I have accelerated the delivery of schemes that make it easier for people to walk and cycle such as cycleways, low traffic neighbourhoods and school streets. Research commissioned by TfL shows that school streets, for example, encourage parents and carers to drive less and use active modes of transport for the journey to and from school. I will continue to support the roll out of these schemes as part of the wider package of measures being employed to encourage mode shift and improve air quality outside schools and across London.

Ocado distribution centre Tufnell Park

Siân Berry: According to campaigners, the proposed development by Ocado for a new 24/7 distribution centre next to a nursery and primary school in Tufnell Park will result in hundreds more vehicle movements onto Junction Road, which is part of the Strategic Road Network (SRN). Could you confirm that: a) TfL are aware of the development and have requested a traffic impact assessment from Ocado and, b) this development contravenes London Plan policies GG1 B E, GG3 D and F, S3 B 3 and 9, SI1 A, B 1 a),b),c) C and T2 A, B, C.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is aware of these proposals. However, the proposed development referred to was the subject of a Certificate of Lawful Existing Use of Development (CLEUD)rather than a planning application. CLEUDs areissuedby a local planning authority and must be determined based on matters of factabout the userather than any impact assessment. Therefore, there is no formal mechanism for requesting a traffic impact assessment or assessing the proposals against London Plan policies.
A recent High Court judgement upheld Islington Council’s decisiontorevoke thisCLEUD. It is understood that Ocado have now applied to the Court of Appeal to have the High Court judgement reviewed. TfL and the GLA have no role in this process.
In the event that a planning application for this site is submitted in future, the borough would assess it in the normal way and request any relevant impact assessments.

Threshold for offenders being monitored through Predatory Offender Units

Unmesh Desai: Please advise what criteria must be met for a perpetrator of domestic abuse to be monitored by officers within a Predatory Offender Unit.

The Mayor: The BCU Predatory Offender Units’ (POUs) remit is to tackle the highest harm offenders who pose a safeguarding risk to either adults or children. This includes Domestic Abuse (DA).
High harm offenders are identified and prioritised based on the risk they pose, as well as the vulnerability of the victim(s) and any aggravating factors (for example, level of harm, number of victims or significant offending history). A range of enforcement activity is available and used by POUs, for example Domestic Violence Protection Notices, adherence to Domestic Violence Protection Orders, proactive arrest and raising awareness of these subjects locally given the risk they pose.

493 bus

Leonie Cooper: Could the Mayor update me on the 493 bus during the Wimbledon Tennis tournament and what diversion it will be taking as residents have not been able to find out what is happening with the bus route?

The Mayor: The bus operator, Transport for London (TfL), the boroughs and the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) discussed options to mitigate the proposed road closures during this summer’s tournament. Route 493, which normally runs on Church Road around the AELTC, instead ran via Bathgate Road, Queensmere Road, Parkside and Wimbledon High Street. It was not possible to serve three sets of stops on Church Road (Wimbledon Tennis Club, Somerset Road and Belvedere Avenue). The nearest stops that continued to be served by route 493 are at Bathgate Road and High Street Wimbledon. This change occurred between 28 June and 11 July inclusive and the route has now returned to its normal route.
TfL will continue to work with AELTC and the boroughs to minimise disruption for passengers. TfL monitors diversions when they are in operation. Publicity was posted at affected stops to make customers aware of the diversion.

Misogyny as a hate crime

Sem Moema: With proposals in place to make misogyny a hate crime, how can the Metropolitan Police Service prepare officers to adequately handle these cases?

The Mayor: It is anticipated that the proposals put forward in March in connection with the Domestic Abuse Act about all police forces trialing the recording of misogyny as a hate crime will come into place in the Autumn. The MPS await guidance on how this identification and recording should be undertaken.
In the interim, the MPS remain closely engaged with UK policing nationally on this and are learning lessons from the trials undertaken by a small number of forces on this recording practice and its implications. The MPS has also undertaken further analysis on recorded violence against women and girls to guide the operational focus of this very important work.

Cycle infrastructure design (LTN 1/20) (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Given the financial situation for TfL and the need for central government support, has TfL secured any funding to allow it to update streets on the Transport for London road network to meet latest Cycle infrastructure design (LTN 1/20)?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has secured funding to allow it to continue to invest in a range of healthy streets improvements, as part of the Extraordinary Funding and Financing agreement received from Government on 1 June 2021. The conditions of that settlement state “TfL will commit to set aside at least £100m within the 2021 Funding Period to continue the delivery of healthy streets and active travel programmes including funding for the London Boroughs under the local implementation plan process. Any cycle scheme TfL introduce or support with the funding as part of their Streetspace programme should be fully compliant with the LTN 1/20 cycle infrastructure design guidance.”
TfL is in the process of setting a budget which continues long-term Healthy Streets projects which had been paused during the pandemic, but which also consolidates the significant achievements made last year as part of my response to the pandemic, including the delivery of 100km of new and upgraded temporary cycle lanes.

Swiss Cottage bus stop D

Anne Clarke: Bus Stop D in Swiss Cottage used to serve 5 bus routes, the 113, 187, 268, 46 and 13. It served as a major bus interchange directly outside Swiss Cottage station. Due to the development at 100 Avenue Road, a separate stop has been introduced on Adelaide Road for the 46 and 13. This is extremely inconvenient, and involves using 5 crossings to get from the former stop to the latter. Given the long delays and uncertain future of the development at 100 Avenue Road, will you reinstall the 13 and 46 stops at bus stop D?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is looking at trialling the return of these five bus routes to stop D in Swiss Cottage. This is possible as construction work on the neighbouring housing development is not expected to resume in the near future.
A complicating factor is that the marked area for buses to pull into, next to stop D, was shortened to allow the developer to maintain safe site access. When routes 13, 46, 113, 187, 268 and 603 are all using it, there is a risk that vehicles will back up past the tube station entrance as far as the pedestrian crossing.
TfL will need to reposition the stop at the front of the marked boarding area to maximise space for buses and minimise the risk of buses tailing back, before putting the trial into effect. It does not have a date for this but is looking to implement a trial as early as August.
If the trial shows there are still safety and operational issues, some routes will be re-directed to the Adelaide Road stop as they are now. All five routes will need to call at this alternative hopping off point when the housing development resumes and takes over the bus lane again. TfL is aware that these temporary arrangements are not ideal for customers and will seek to return the favoured stops as soon as is practicable.

Use of casualty data (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: What timescales is TfL looking at to reduce road danger on the 100 top most dangerous sections of roads on the Transport for London road network as identifiedby the work done in response to MQ 2020/4248?

The Mayor: The work identified in my response to Mayor’s Question 2020/4248 refers to the Safer Junctions programme. This programme identified 73 junctions across London with the worst performance for vulnerable road user collisions and casualties.
I am pleased to inform you that 42 of these junctions have now received safety improvements. Transport for London (TfL) plans to complete construction of safety improvements at three further junctions in 2021/22 at York Road, Battersea Bridge (Phase 1) and Holloway Road.
In addition, TfL’s programme of small safety schemes is targeting low-cost improvements at other high-risk locations on the network, driven by the latest data arising from collision analysis and risk assessment.

Keeping E-Scooters off Pavements

Tony Devenish: Would you agree that to communicate the strong message that e-Scooters must be ridden on the road, not the pavement, e-scooter bays should primarily be located on the road?

The Mayor: The use of an e-scooter on any pavement is unlawful. There is an exception to this which allows the parking of rental e-scooters within a designated parking bay in London. The Department for Transport (DfT) authorised the bay designs that have been used to mark out the Transport for London (TfL) parking areas in the London trial, including a design that can be used off-carriageway. Most of the TfL-assigned parking is on TfL land, typically outside of a station, set back from the main pedestrian flow. The DfT parking guidance was shared with the London boroughs.
The designated parking bays currently available in London have been selected by the participating London boroughs, TfL or the private landowner e.g. Canary Wharf Group. The parking areas on TfL land were assessed by TfL surveyors considering elements such as lighting and CCTV, and purposely set back from the pedestrian flow.
Ongoing monitoring and assessment of all aspects of the trial, including parking, is underway and changes will be made as required.

Stopping Cycling on Pavements

Tony Devenish: How are you prioritising pedestrian safety and ensuring that everything possible is being done to tackle cycling on pavements?

The Mayor: As I noted in my answer to Mayor’s Question 2020/1860, cycling on the pavement is dealt with through a combination of education, engagement and enforcement. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and Transport for London’s (TfL) own Operational Officers engage with riders to educate them on the risks of pavement riding and encourage them to dismount or to leave the footway. The majority of riders comply. Where aggressive or antisocial cycling on the pavement poses a risk to pedestrians or other road users, MPS officers can use their powers with discretion, to respond fairly and proportionately.
However, it must also be recognised that sometimes people cycle on pavements to avoid the dangers of motor traffic. Therefore, creating safer streets for people to cycle on – segregated lanes on main roads, less traffic on minor roads - is key to reducing pavement cycling. As part of my Transport Strategy, we have an extensive programme of schemes in this area. I would be grateful for your support in working with boroughs to deliver schemes like this that will reduce pavement cycling, particularly in Kensington and Chelsea where they are notably lacking.

Step-Free Access at Parsons Green and Putney Bridge

Tony Devenish: Will you prioritise step free access at Parsons Green and Putney Bridge tube stations?

The Mayor: I am committed to continuing to make the transport network more accessible. Over the past five years, sixteen Tube stations have been made step-free, taking the current total number of step-free stations on the Tube network to 84. All Elizabeth line stations will be step-free, and most of the 32 stations currently served by Transport for London (TfL) Rail have step-free access, with the recent introduction of step-free access at West Ealing, Hanwell and Ealing Broadway stations enabling step-free access to the Central and District lines. Four more Tube stations are due to become step-free by the end of this year: Osterley, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Sudbury Hill and Wimbledon Park.
With respect to Putney Bridge station, TfL has conducted a step-free access feasibility study. The study concluded that making the station step-free access would cost more than £10m and would present some very significant construction challenges. On that basis, the station was not selected for inclusion in the current step-free access programme.
TfL has also investigated the feasibility of making Parsons Green Underground station step-free. Unfortunately, the configuration of the ticket hall and staircase means that it was not possible to identify a location for installing a lift to platform level on the eastbound platform. On that basis, this station did not meet the prioritisation criteria in terms of cost and deliverability under the existing programme.
Continuing to increase the accessibility of London’s public transport network is vital in ensuring more people can travel more easily. This is why TfL seeks to maximise the number of accessible journeys it can unlock with the finite funding available.
For future programmes, TfL is developing a detailed methodology to determine how stations should be prioritised for step-free access. Engagement with disabled and older customers through their representative organisations will form a vital piece of this work. Putney Bridge and Parsons Green stations will be considered in this project, along with all stations currently lacking step-free access.

Hammersmith Congestion

Tony Devenish: Why, with overall traffic down in Hammersmith since March 2020, have congestion and journey times increased?

The Mayor: Data for the Transport for London (TfL) controlled roads running through Hammersmith and Fulham suggests that journey times are still slightly faster than pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the lower vehicle flows across the borough. However, on the Hammersmith Gyratory, there are increases in journey times and TfL is actively working with Hammersmith and Fulham to address these increases.

Zero Emission Buses (3)

Tony Devenish: Have you reflected on the fact the City of Coventry and others have far more ambitious plans than you on zero emission buses?

The Mayor: London has more than 500 zero-emission buses successfully in service already and another 400 on order. This is testament to our ambitious and progressive strategy for reducing air pollution and carbon emissions from the transport system.
I’m glad that Coventry is getting £50 million from Government and £75 million from local bus operators to bring in 297 electric buses by 2025. However, a much more comprehensive commitment from the Government for every town and city is required in order to transition the UK's bus fleet to tackle air pollution and achieve the UK's legally binding commitment to halve emissions by 2030.
London's bus fleet is 30 times the size of Coventry's, making up nearly half of the entire bus fleet in the UK. Therefore, investment by the Government to make London’s bus fleet zero-emission would not only accelerate the UK's progress on air quality and decarbonisation but would also help to ensure that the UK bus industry is seen globally as a leader in the green economy.
Through its early investments, TfL has already paved the way for cheaper electric and hydrogen buses across the rest of the UK, working closely with manufacturers to develop suitable products for the UK market and with operators to establish frameworks for transitioning a large fleet quickly and efficiently.
For example, Londoninitially created 12 Low Emission Bus Zones in the most polluted corridors, before lifting its entire 9,000-strong core fleet up to the ultra-low emission Euro VI engine standard. Every bus brought up to this level emits up to 90 per cent less oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and up to 80 per cent less particulate matter than a non-compliant model. A Greater London Authority study found that these measures have reduced NOx emissions from buses by 90 per cent, with thousands of school children benefitting from cleaner air.
TfL has also led the UK element within the Joint Initiative for Hydrogen Vehicles across Europe (JIVE) project to procure these vehicles in bulk with other UK authorities. In total, the JIVE project seeks to deploy 139 new zero-emission fuel cell buses and associated refuelling infrastructure across five European countries and has received funding from the European Union’s Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.

Taxi & PHV Personal Injury Collision Data

Keith Prince: Given it was a promise in the Mayor’s Action Plan, why is there no separation in the reporting of personal injury collision data involving Taxi & Private Hire vehicles?

The Mayor: The Department for Transport’s guidance on the collection and recording of personal injury collision information combines taxis and private hire vehicles as a single category.
Transport for London (TfL) has worked with the Metropolitan Police to separate out taxi and private hire vehicle recording in personal injury collision information. Collision data extracts showing these separate vehicle types, as reported by the police, are available on TfL’s website and can be found under road collision data here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/road-safety.

Taxi and PH Compliance Officers

Keith Prince: Can the Mayor provide the most up-to-date number of how many dedicated taxi and private hire compliance officers TfL currently employs?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) implemented a new structure in 2019 that brought together up to 420 multi-skilled, on-street officers to support a range of activities across the transport network.
TfL uses intelligence-led deployments to ensure there are enough resources to support operational demands, including Taxi and Private Hire compliance operations.Up to 225 specially trained officers can be deployed to support roads and vehicles activities, which includes Taxi and Private Hire (TPH) compliance operations.However, the new structure means TfL can respond to increased demand and draw upon the wider team should it need to deploy additional officers in support of TPH compliance operations.

Accessibility at Harrow on the Hill station

Krupesh Hirani: I welcome the commitment from the Mayor of London and the work of my predecessor, Navin Shah, in the long hard-fought campaign to make Harrow on the Hill station accessible. What are the current timescales for the completion of works at Harrow on the Hill station, to make this station accessible for all?

The Mayor: Work to make Harrow-on-the-Hill station step-free is due to be completed by the end of 2021.

Duty of candour with independent scrutiny bodies (2)

Caroline Russell: Section 499 of chapter 10 of the Report of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel, published in June 2021, includes this statement: “The panel agrees with other independent inquiries about the need for a duty of candour for public services, including the police,” and the Panel recommends in section 501 the creation of a statutory duty of candour for all law enforcement agencies. In addition, section 498 notes that the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill 163 2016-17, introduced by your fellow Mayor Andy Burnham while he was an MP, fell after its first reading due to the 2017 General Election. In the interests of prompt action on the Panel’s recommendations, would you and MOPAC be willing to explore with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) formalising such a duty for the conduct of MPS scrutiny within the GLA?

The Mayor: I support introducing a duty of candour and I hope that the Government will progress this recommendation.
I am content that the Commissioner and her senior team make themselves available for regular scrutiny by the Assembly.

Tube Noise [3]

Anne Clarke: TfL have given themselves an ongoing maintenance task to ensure that tube noise does not keep rising to unacceptable levels, but they don't appear to have a budget to do so. What are you doing to ensure that this promise is kept?

The Mayor: Tackling Tube noise is a priority for both Transport for London (TfL) and me.
TfL is continuing to tackle Tube noise through a number of different methods. This includes rail grinding, which works by smoothing rails and removing corrugation, which is often the root cause of residential noise. TfL will continue to carry out rail grinding, as well as other targeted interventions to reduce noise, including the removal of redundant rail joints, the maintenance of points and crossings, and re-ballasting track where required.
Despite the financial challenges a result of the pandemic, TfL continues to invest significantly in London Underground’s track renewal and maintenance, including a continuous programme of rail grinding and track modernisation. There is also a dedicated annual budget of £1 million, for targeted noise and vibration interventions (this does not include staffing costs).
Over the last six months TfL has undertaken a significant amount of noise and vibration-related rail grinding in the, covering over 16,200 metres of rail. TfL will continue to carry out other targeted interventions to reduce noise, including the removal of redundant rail joints, the maintenance of points and crossings, and re-ballasting track, where required and appropriate to the location.
TfL also remain in discussions with the Government on the need for further financial support and a long-term capital funding deal. In the meantime, its ability to carry out Tube noise-related work – particularly long-term and expensive interventions – is limited and will likely remain so.

8 Albert Embankment (3)

Anne Clarke: Could a scaled back development of the site which is agreeable to both the local community and LFB address government cuts to LFB funding and support the work of the LFB going forwards?

The Mayor: The decision on 8 Albert Embankment was received on 23 June 2021 and it is too early set out future plans for the site. However detailed analysis is underway to understand options.

Tube Noise [2]

Anne Clarke: The Charing Cross branch of the Northern line in the Mornington Crescent area, despite also being noisy, has always been lower priority than the Bank branch. However, in the last 4 years TfL have not undertaken maintenance such as rain grinding on this branch. When will this be done?

The Mayor: For the majority of active complaints around Mornington Crescent, the Bank branch, rather than the Charing Cross branch, is the dominant source of any noise issues.
Transport for London (TfL) has carried out recent residential measurements around Mornington Crescent, and is currently analysing these measurements. If this work indicates a significant increase in noise from the Charing Cross branch, TfL will assess whether any practicable works to reduce noise levels can be carried out.

E scooter safety measures

Krupesh Hirani: As we know with the recent trial of e-scooters in London, each of the e-scooters have been fitted with a bell, but I understand that there will now also be trials adding artificial noise for the protection of partially sighted pedestrians. Can you advise when we expect to see this roll out to begin in London?

The Mayor: The three London rental e-scooter operators are considering additional audible signals on e-scooters to indicate the vehicle’s presence to other road users. The operators are engaging with the visually impaired community on this and all other aspects of the trial that impact these groups.
Transport for London (TfL) is working with operators as they explore the possibility of installing additional audible signals on the rental e-scooters and will support their introduction where it becomes possible, although a roll out date has not yet been set.
TfL remains committed to engaging with stakeholder groups throughout the trial to ensure impacts are considered, kept under review, and features are improved wherever possible. TfL has strongly encouraged operators to work directly with these stakeholders as they develop options to improve safety and detectability, and is aware that operators are actively doing so.
TfL’s publicly available Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) is available here https://content.tfl.gov.uk/rental-escooter-trial-2021.pdf and details all of the engagement undertaken by TfL up until the end of May 2021, along with the impacts considered and mitigations in place.

Accessibility at Sudbury Hill station

Krupesh Hirani: In relation to accessibility for all passengers, what are the currentplans andtimescales for the completion of works atSudbury Hillstation?

The Mayor: Work to make Sudbury Hill station step-free is due to be completed by the end of 2021.

Continuing Fall in Public Confidence in Policing

Caroline Pidgeon: The latest available statistics from the GLA’s London Datastore show a further fall in public confidence in the police in London to just 55%. Confidence has steadily fallen since June 2017, from a high of 69%. What are you doing with MOPAC and the Met to try and understand and reverse this consistent fall we are seeing given the impact this could be having on crime and the reporting of crime in our city?

The Mayor: It is crucial that the police have the trust and confidence of all Londoners, and it is clear more needs to be done to achieve this. My Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) runs the longest standing public attitude survey, which provides valuable insights into the levels of trust and confidence within London’s communities. Through the work of MOPAC’s Evidence and Insight Team, we have a good understanding of the activities and behaviours that affect both public trust and confidence, such as the way police engage and treat the public, and how effectively they respond to local concerns. In addition, transparency and accountability are known to have a direct impact on trust.
That is why my Action Plan for Transparency, Accountability and Trust in Policing specifically addresses these issues, including publishing the first disproportionality data dashboard to increase transparency, overhauling our community engagement mechanisms to ensure much greater representation and ensuring communities are actively involved in designing and delivering training for frontline police officers - and I have pledged to ensure that the actions are delivered in full, and that a constant watch is kept on other ways to improve confidence in the MPS.

Violence Suppression Units (2)

Sem Moema: How does the approach of Violence Suppression Units in London’s ‘MBs’ or ‘microbeats’ differ from more traditional enforcement tactics?

The Mayor: The MPS is systematically rolling out patrols by the Violence Suppression Units in hotspots across London where violence is highest. This is to maximise opportunities to prevent that violence.
The aim of this approach is to target smaller geographical areas such as roads, junctions or specific outdoor premises with overt policing. Problem solving around that location and engagement with the community and businesses in the area will compliment this activity to reduce crime. These hotspots are developed using crime data.

TfL roundels and branding

Susan Hall: What work is carried out by TfL to discourage and prevent people from selling former private hire vehicles with TfL roundels and other branding/insignia still on display?

The Mayor: Vehicle licensees are required to inform Transport for London (TfL) of a change of ownership and must return any licence documents to TfL if the vehicle is no longer being used as a Private Hire Vehicle or taxi.
Private hire operators are required to provide a booking confirmation to passengers before their journey starts. This must include the vehicle registration mark, the first name of the driver, the driver's private hire licence number (as shown on the ID the driver is wearing) and, where the customer is able to receive it, a photograph of the driver. Passengers can also check whether a private hire vehicle (or driver or operator) is licensed by using TfL’s online licence checker.
TfL will investigate and take appropriate action in relation to any information received which suggests that individuals are identifying themselves as being licensed, through branding, where this is not the case.

Violence Suppression Units (4)

Sem Moema: How much is the number of vacancies in officer recruitment hampering the work of the Violence Suppression Units?

The Mayor: Each Basic Command Unit (BCU) holds planning meetings to ensure that local resources and vacancies are managed effectively.
No concerns about performance due to vacancies have been reported through the monthly Violence Suppression Unit (VSU) Inspector meetings.

The use of Volunteers in Diversity Training Within the Met

Caroline Pidgeon: I am aware that the Met previously ran diversity training in which it involved volunteers from underrepresented communities who came and engaged with officers and discussed their experiences. Can you confirm whether such diversity training still takes place?

The Mayor: Diversity training within the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has continued to develop and evolve and the themes of diversity, inclusion and procedural justice are an integral part of the police training curriculum.
My Action Plan on Transparency, Accountability and Trust in Policing commits to the development of community led training and there is significant work being led by MPS Learning and Development to strengthen direct community engagement in the design, delivery and evaluation of MPS training.
This has included the establishment of a Learning & Development Community Reference Group; the launch of a new community impact project undertaken by all new recruits as well as the introduction of community led sessions (sharing of lived experiences and the facilitation of set reflective exercises) within initial recruit training.

Semiconductors 2

Susan Hall: What impact has the worldwide shortage of semiconductor chips had onTfL technology procurement?

The Mayor: The impact to Transport for London (TfL) is minimal operationally and will likely only impact TfL by delaying the availability of laptops, desktops or servers. Indirectly TfL is monitoring the impact through its supply chain and this will be tracked through business line risk registers.

Advanced Driving Test for PH Drivers

Keith Prince: The Mayor has stated the advanced driving test for private hire drivers will not progress at this time. How does this sit with his Vision Zero objective?

The Mayor: Along with Transport for London (TfL) and the Metropolitan Police Service, I remain fully committed to the Vision Zero objective of eradicating deaths and serious injuries from our roads and making London a safer, healthier and greener place.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the taxi and private hire industry in London, and licensees are facing significant personal and economic challenges.
In light of this, and after carefully considering the responses to the earlier Improving Safety in PHVs consultation (https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/taxis/improving-phv-safety/), TfL is prioritising the implementation of the Department for Transport’s Statutory Standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, all of which seek to make services safer for passengers.
Once these standards have been introduced and the industry is on the road to recovery following the pandemic, TfL will review any outstanding proposals in its consultation, including the Advanced Driving Test, to determine whether they are still required.

Vision Zero Action Plan

Keith Prince: The Vision Zero Action Plan hopes to reduce the likelihood of road users making mistakes or behaving in a way that is risky for themselves and other people. Has the Mayor considered an accelerometer condition of licence for private hire operators prohibiting the dispatch of customer requests to moving vehicles?

The Mayor: The law is clear on the use of mobile phones and distractions while driving and Transport for London does not consider that further regulation would add to this. More information is available here: https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/safety/road-safety-advice/driving#on-this-page-1.

RFID Cards for Taxis

Keith Prince: Are you and TfL in favour of RFID cards for the taxi trade and, if so, by what date are you aiming to introduce them?

The Mayor: I presume you are referring to the introduction of radio-frequency identification (RFID) cards to prevent taxi-dedicated rapid charge points (RCPs) being used by other vehicles.
Further to my response to Mayor’s Question 2021/1414, Transport for London is engaging with the companies that operate taxi-dedicated RCPs to explore potential technical solutions to ensure taxi-dedicated RCPs can only be used by ZEC taxis, which includes exploring the possibility of introducing RFID cards.

Independent Judge-Led Investigation of TfL’s Contracted Bus Operation

Keith Prince: On 16 July 2021, GMB Union Southern Region launched a campaign asking you “to look urgently at the private contractors delivering bus services for TfL and remove the link between punctuality and profits.” Will you appoint an independent judge-led investigation to analyse the safety implications of how TfL contracts and manages its bus contractors?

The Mayor: No. My Vision Zero approach is helping drive down the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSIs) on London’s roads and Transport for London’s (TfL) Bus Safety Programme is targeting specific areas that can make the biggest difference.
Buses are extremely low risk in relation to per journey travelled. The number of people killed or seriously injured in or by a bus fell by 38 per cent between 2019 and 2020, to 132 people which is the lowest number on record. This is 78 per cent down on the 2005-09 baseline. Details are available here: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/casualties-in-greater-london-2020.pdf.
London’s bus tendering system mainly incentivises even intervals between buses rather than being on-time against the timetable, and in doing so provides reliable high-quality services at great value. It also considers prevailing road conditions so that operators are not unfairly penalised for factors outside their control such as lost mileage from congestion. Countries with advanced transport systems such as Singapore have also copied aspects of TfL’s contract system because they recognise the benefits.

Removing Recyclables from the Waste Stream

Joanne McCartney: What actions are you or planning to take to encourage London’s waste authorities to remove recyclables from the waste stream? What pressure will you put on the North London Waste Authority to do this so that fewer waste materials are sent for incineration?

The Mayor: All boroughs must and have now produced Reduction and Recycling Plans (RRPs) in which they must set targets for how they will reduce waste and maximise recycling and provide my minimum level of service for the collection of recyclables and food waste to support this work.
GLA officers meet regularly with the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) and presented at their Member Recycling Working Group on the importance of RRPs, waste reduction, reducing contamination of waste streams, and removing recyclables from the residual waste stream. This formed the basis of NLWA’s work with their constituent boroughs in the development of their RRPs which support the reduction of waste materials sent for incineration.
NLWA will be revising their joint waste strategy in the near future and I have already requested that GLA officers be engaged in the drafting and review process to ensure that it supports my ambitions for London to be a zero-waste city.

Metropolitan Police Service officers who commit domestic violence offences

Caroline Russell: Could you provide a) the number of allegations of domestic abuse committed by Metropolitan Police officers and staff, b) how many resulted in disciplinary action, andc) how many resulted in prosecutions over the last five years?

The Mayor: From 2016/17 – 2020/21 there were 533 allegations made against Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers or staff. Please note that multiple allegations can be made against one individual.
Over the same time period 28 MPS officers or staff have been subject to Formal Action and a further 74 cases remain ongoing. All allegations resulting in ‘No Action’ have been subject to investigation and review by the Directorate of Professional Standards.
Over the same period 28 MPS officers or staff have appeared in court, with six being found guilty. These are not necessarily the same 28 MPS officers or staff who have been subject to Formal Action.
A national super-complaint on police perpetrated domestic abuse is currently under investigation by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, and the Independent Office of Police Conduct and College of Policing. Its full findings are expected later in the year. My Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime continues to engage with the MPS to understand the issue and how they are supporting evidence gathering for the super-complaint investigation.

Piccadilly line upgrade

Krupesh Hirani: Please can you provide full details and timescales for the already announced Piccadilly line train upgrades?

The Mayor: The design for the new higher capacity, accessible, air-cooled Piccadilly line trains has been completed by Siemens Mobility Ltd., and manufacturing is due to commence from August this year. The first new trains for operation will be delivered to London in 2024 for a programme of reliability testing and to train and familiarise train operators and maintenance staff.
The new trains will enter passenger service from 2025, providing enhanced capacity. Enhancements to service levels are scheduled in 2027, increasing peak service frequencies from 24 to 27 trains per hour with the new trains. This will increase peak capacity on the line by 23 per cent.
A planned upgrade of the signalling on the Piccadilly line, which would enable automatic train operation and peak services of up to 36 trains per hour, is currently unfunded.

Tube Noise [4]

Anne Clarke: Tube noise in Mornington Crescent was first raised with TfL in 2016. Five years on, there appears not to have been any reduction in the noise, with no plan going forward. What are you doing to fix this, and what options are TfL going to look at to reduce noise here?

The Mayor: Following the installation of track fastenings on the Bank branch of the Northern line in 2017, most properties benefited from a significant reduction in noise levels, of around 10 decibels.
Rail grinding is scheduled in the Mornington Crescent area for August 2021. In the longer-term Transport for London (TfL) is also reviewing whether more fundamental track works may be appropriate, and I have asked that its officers contact you once this work has been completed.

Road Racing on the A10

Joanne McCartney: How are you working with the Met Police and others to prevent road racing occurring on the A10 in Enfield? I have received more complaints from residents who live in the Bush Hill Park area who inform me that this problem is getting worse again.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) works closely with the TfL/ Metropolitan Police Service-funded Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC) and Enfield Council to respond to issues of criminal and anti-social road user behaviour along the A10 corridor. This includes safety camera enforcement and on-street policing activity.
In March 2020, TfL completed the installation of additional permanent safety cameras on the A10 as part of the efforts to tackle the long-standing issues of dangerous and anti-social driving behaviour. The A10 corridor in Enfield also continues to be a priority deployment for the RTPC. Since January 2021, RTPC officers have issued over 350 Traffic Offence Reports (TOR) along the A10 section in Enfield for road traffic offences, with the majority issued for dangerous or anti-social driving. Sixteen TORs were issued for speeding offences and 87 vehicles were seized.
A meeting took place between TfL, the Metropolitan Police Service and Enfield Council officers on 13 July to discuss issues and possible interventions for dealing with speeding and other criminal road user behaviour along the A10 in Enfield.

Camden to Tottenham Hale Cycle Lane

Joanne McCartney: Can you update me on the progress of the proposed Camden to Tottenham Hale Cycleway?

The Mayor: Work on designs for a cycle route between Camden and Tottenham Hale is ongoing.
The section in Camden between Royal College Street and York Way is being progressed by London Borough of Camden as part of their Camden Square Area Safe and Healthy Streets proposals, construction expected to start in the Autumn.
Transport for London (TfL) is looking to implement the section between York Way and Finsbury Park as an experimental scheme from early next year, subject to agreement from London Borough of Islington on the proposed designs and the availability of funding in TfL’s next settlement. Design work on the rest of the route between Finsbury Park and Tottenham Hale will continue subject to the availability of funding.

GOWISELY during the Coronavirus pandemic (1)

Caroline Russell: Has the coronavirus crisis and the closure of police counters as part of your Public Access Strategy meant that Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers have been unable to deploy the GOWISELY principles, specifically the entitlement to a copy of the search record?

The Mayor: No.

Young People and the LFB (3)

Anne Clarke: How many schools have been able to receive virtual Safety First workshops? Please provide a borough-by-borough breakdown

The Mayor: The number of Safety First workshops is presented in the table below, broken down by those boroughs in which they were delivered.
Safety First is a pilot project that runs until 2023. The current list of schools is sourced from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) who are London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) collaborative partners. The list is generated using crime data taken from the MPS’ Crime Reporting Information System, and it records how many suspects or victims of crimes happen at each school. LFB then contacted all schools that were identified as ‘priority’ to offer a virtual Safety First workshop which were then taken forward with those that responded.
LFB anticipates an increase in uptake from September 2021 when, due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, schools are likely to resume programmes of non-core teaching delivered by external bodies.

Community Safety and LFB (2)

Anne Clarke: During the last three quarters time spent by station staff on community safety has dropped and is off target. How importance is this community engagement work and how will the LFB be working to build upon it post-pandemic?

The Mayor: Community Engagement remains a high priority for London Fire Brigade (LFB). Due to restrictions during the pandemic, LFB was not able to engage with communities in person. However, they were able to offer digital solutions, for example by running virtual Cadet units, digital school visits or engaging with vulnerable people via telephone. Home Fire Safety Visits resumed in April 2021.
The Brigade is now implementing a roadmap to restart events once restrictions are lifted, including pilot station open days during the summer. These are set out in the table below.
Pilot station open days
Fire Station
Date
Sutton
Saturday 24 July 2021
Wallington
Saturday 7 August 2021
Richmond
Sunday 19 September 2021
Finchley
Sunday 19 September 2021
Chingford
Sunday 26 September 2021
In April 2021, LFB launched the community engagement pilot within eight London boroughs. This pilot aims to ensure that LFB is at the centre of the communities they serve through targeted engagement with under-represented communities. After the fire at New Providence Wharf in May, LFB’s Community Engagement team and local officers offered public reassurance to residents, both virtually and in person, with more events being planned for August 2021.

Hammersmith Bridge (5)

Nicholas Rogers: Could you please give an update on progress of the Hammersmith Bridge ferry and confirm whether it is on track to commence operations by the first week of September as planned?

The Mayor: Please see my response to 2021/2244.

London’s Risk Register (1)

Anne Clarke: London’s Risk Register lists ‘Complex Built Environments’ as a high risk. How complex is London’s built environment and how can this risk be mitigated against?

The Mayor: The built environment in London is extremely complex particularly when compared to the national picture. London has over half the entire national high-rise risk and is also home to an extremely diverse range of other buildings, with examples including iconic and heavily engineered buildings such as the Shard, the nation’s tallest ‘modular construction’ residential high-rise tower and many complex residential, commercial, hospital and heritage buildings.
London Fire Brigade seeks to mitigate risk though the work of qualified and competent staff in a variety of ways, including contributing to technical standards, government bodies and industry groups to influence safer standards and best practice. Officers and Fire Engineers liaise through the design and build stage for new buildings to highlight and address potential issues before completion. Fire Safety Inspectors conduct fire safety audits taking enforcement action as necessary, while fire station crews undertake familiarisation visits and conduct Premises Risk Assessments.

Resources for internal police corruption investigations

Caroline Russell: In total, what budgetary resources have been: a) made availableand, b) spent in each financial year since 2015-16 for the internal investigation of corruption within the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)?

The Mayor: The Department of Professional Standards (DPS) is allocated an annual revenue budget. The revenue budget covers the expenditure for both police officer and police staff pay and overtime.
The DPS budget is set out in the table below:
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
DPS Budget (Per Million)
£22.5M
£22.9M
£23.7M
£26.0M
£27.4M
£28.2M
£28.4M
Corruption investigations are undertaken both overtly, as associated misconduct matters or as covert investigations. To protect covert assets from exposure the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) do not provide breakdowns on covert resources or detail complex budgets.
It should also be noted that each Basic Command Unit (BCU) or Operational Command Unit (OCU) have their own local Professional Standards Units which are separately funded through their respective budgets and not included in the table above.

Virtual Home Fire Safety Visits

Anne Clarke: Have VHFSVs been launched? If so, what has been the impact and how many VHFSVs have been completed?

The Mayor: The online Home Fire Safety Checker was launched by London Fire Brigade in April 2021.
Users of the checker are given tailored advice based on their responses, with those identified as more vulnerable being directed to in-person visits. Those less at risk are provided withonline advice but are able to request an in-person visit if they require one.
As of 8 July 2021, there have been 1,249 individual completions of the triage section of the Checker. 70 per cent of those triaged were directed to continue online and half of those completed a full self-assessment and received tailored fire safety advice virtually.
The Checker can be found here - https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/home-fire-safety/home-fire-safety-checker-hfsc/ - and I would encourage all Londoners to use it.

London’s Risk Register (4)

Anne Clarke: Does the ‘See it. Say it. Sorted’ campaign need to be adjusted to reflect any changes since 2017?

The Mayor: This is a national campaign, run by the Department for Transport (DfT) and used by all rail operators in the country. The campaign has been running very successfully for nearly five years and is one of the most highly recognised security campaigns in the country. DfT is continuing to work to ensure that it maintains its impact.
It will be for DfT and its Ministers to make any decisions on this campaign.

Duty of candour with independent scrutiny bodies (1)

Caroline Russell: Section 499 of chapter 10 of the Report of the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel, published in June 2021, includes this statement: “The Panel recognises the complex challenges of guaranteeing public accountability of an organisation such as the police, not least because of the requirement to protect information in accordance with the law. However, the challenges should not prevent frank and prompt accounts to the public about mistakes and wrongdoing. Rather than undermining public trust in the police, such candour would in the long run restore and maintain public confidence, which is essential for effective policing.”
In addition, the Panel’s recommendation in section 496 says: “In the interest of transparency and public accountability, all public institutions should be under a duty to cooperate fully with independent scrutiny bodies created by Government, such as the panel.” Do you agree with this statement and recommendation, and why?

The Mayor: I agree that all public institutions should be under a duty to cooperate fully with independent scrutiny bodies created by Government. I hope that Government will consider this carefully when establishing independent panels in the future.

Violence Suppression Units (7)

Sem Moema: Please provide a breakdown of the number of knives and weapons seized by violence suppression units for every month since their launch.

The Mayor: Please find attached a breakdown of knives and weapons seized from August 2020 and a total from the launch in May 2020 until April 2021. Before August 2020 data was collated in various formats which means it is not possible to provide a monthly breakdown, only an overall total.

The Mayor: 3192.pdf

Violence Suppression Units (8)

Sem Moema: Please provide a breakdown of the number of knives and weapons seized in every London borough, by month, since violent suppression units were launched.

The Mayor: Due to system limitations, it is not possible to provide the data you have requested.

Violence Suppression Units (5)

Sem Moema: Please provide a breakdown of the number of arrests made per month by violence suppression units every month since their launch.

The Mayor: Please find attached a breakdown of arrests from August 2020 and a total since the launch in May 2020 until April 2021. Before August 2020 data was collated in various formats which means it is not possible to provide a monthly breakdown, only an overall total.

The Mayor: 3190.pdf

Violence Suppression Units (6)

Sem Moema: Please provide a breakdown of the number of arrests per month made by violence suppression units for every London borough since their launch.

The Mayor: Due to system limitations, it is not possible to provide the data you have requested.

Regulation of Waking Watch Providers

Sem Moema: Leaseholders in my constituency would like to see greater regulation of Waking Watch providers in order to give them confidence that the process is transparent and Waking Watches are being used as a last resort and short-term solution. What support can you and the Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience offer to them in this?

The Mayor: Any regulation with regards to waking watches would be a matter for central government, while the responsibility to instigate and manage a waking watch or mitigation measures sits with the Responsible Person. However, the most recent National Fire Chief Council Simultaneous Evacuation guidance (October 2020) emphasised the need to consider the installation of common fire alarms where measures are now, or are likely to be, in place for the longer term. The guidance also defines ‘short term’ as no more than 12 months and sets out how residents can provide a waking watch capability themselves. London Fire Brigade seeks to provide support to residents through fire safety audits of blocks with interim measures in place, in conjunction with regular visits by fire crews for familiarisation and, if applicable, to check that waking watches are in place and operating in line with expectations.

Bus service review and Crossrail

Siân Berry: As part of the Transport for London (TfL) bus service review are you proposing to bring forward any changes that were originally planned for the start of the Crossrail services?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has already implemented many of the bus service changes related to stations to be served by the Elizabeth Line, including introducing the new route 301, serving Woolwich and Abbey Wood, and restructuring route 440, serving Acton Main Line.
TfL is planning to implement the remaining proposed changes in the coming months, including changes in South Newham and the Royal Docks, west London and south east London. Examples include the splitting of route 104 to create a new route 304 in east London; and the restructuring of a number of routes to provide better links in south east London to Elizabeth line stations. The changes are set out in TfL’s response to consultation here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/elizabeth-line/.

E-scooter trial and safety

Caroline Russell: Could you tell me what work is being done around the safety of e-scooter users, and also what work is being done on protecting accessibility in the public realm and around the safety of other people walking and cycling where e-scooters are in use?

The Mayor: Safety is the number one priority of the London rental e-scooter trial, and the purpose of taking the collaborative approach between Transport for London (TfL), London Councils and the participating London boroughs is to drive up a consistent safety standard for London.
TfL has imposed a number of additional standards in London, beyond those set by the Department of Transport requirements, to improve the safety of riders and other road users including individuals with disabilities. These additional standards include bigger wheels, lights on throughout the hire and a lower maximum speed of 12.5mph. All riders have to undertake mandatory training before their first ride and have access to on-going refresher training. All vehicles are fitted with bells and the operators are considering additional audible warning signals, see my answer to 2021/3169.
The rental e-scooters must only be ridden on the road or in cycle lanes. Importantly, the trial in London confines parking of rental e-scooters to designated parking bays through geofencing technology to avoid them becoming a hazard when left or discarded in places that would otherwise be used for pedestrians. Participating boroughs are also able to set ‘no go zones’, where vehicles cannot be taken and come to a safe stop.
All operators also have beginner modes, which restrict first rides to a lower initial speed. TfL’s dedicated page on rental e-scooter safety can be found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/e-scooter-safety
TfL’s publicly available Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) is available here https://content.tfl.gov.uk/rental-escooter-trial-2021.pdf and details all of the engagement undertaken by TfL up until the end of May 2021, along with the impacts considered and mitigations in place.

Northwood Hills Station

Susan Hall: At Northwood Hills Station, the new roof is complete but the glass canopy outside the station has not been completed and the scaffolding which was erected months ago remains in place. When will the work be fully completed?

The Mayor: All works at Northwood Hills station including the glass canopy are now complete and the scaffolding has been removed.

Young People and the LFB (2)

Anne Clarke: How have the LFB maintained and delivered Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) during the pandemic?

The Mayor: Due to the nature of its delivery, Local Intervention Fire Education (LIFE) was suspended during the COVID-19 restrictions. A youth review looking at all London Fire Brigade’s youth schemes commenced in October 2019 and the findings were presented to the GLA in January 2021. The review recommended that the LIFE programme discontinued in 2021 with resources permanently diverted to the Fire Cadets programme and Community Safety from 1 April 2021. In order to mitigate the impact of programme disbanding, the Brigade has worked with the GLA and its large network of youth organisations to ensure that referral pathways are in place. This isso that young people can be referred to a wider provision of organisations that address anti-social behaviour, other than fire and related risks, such as road and water safety. This includes working with the Mayor’s Peer Outreach Team to introduce an online referral pathway with over 500 organisations that work with children and young people across London.

London Fire Brigade (1)

Susan Hall: Please could the Mayor state in which eight boroughs will the London Fire Brigade be piloting its engagement work, what are the timescales for this work and what does the pilot involve?

The Mayor: London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) community engagement pilots were launched in April 2021 and will run until April 2022. The objective is to develop engagement platforms that will help the Brigade to undertake genuinely meaningful engagement with communities across London to help shape and improve their service.
The eight boroughs are: Barking and Dagenham; Bexley; Brent; Camden; Hammersmith and Fulham; Southwark; Tower Hamlets; and Waltham Forest. Specific and targeted community engagement work is also taking place in Kensington and Chelsea outside of the pilot process.
A series of focus groups took place during April and May to better understand the local community’s interest and to develop the local approach. A report that captures the initial findings is now being used to agree next steps. Further engagement activity will take place during the summer which will include establishing community forums to help widen engagement around the consultation on the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP).

Switching to Active Travel (1)

Leonie Cooper: Please update on how your policies encourage Londoners to enjoy safe active travel more, improving air quality through relying on private vehicles less?

The Mayor: Encouraging safe, active travel and mode shift away from private vehicles is guided by the Healthy Streets Approach. The Healthy Streets Approach aims to tackle London’s inactivity crisis, improve air quality and reduce the other health impacts of living in a car-dominated city by planning street networks that work well for people on foot and on bikes, and providing public transport networks that are attractive alternatives to car use. This underpins my Transport Strategy, London Plan and various action plans such as Vision Zero Action Plan, Cycling Action Plan and Walking Action Plan.
Prior to the pandemic, Transport for London (TfL) and the boroughs were delivering infrastructure schemes through the Healthy Streets programme, which included building a safe strategic cycle network across London, Liveable Neighbourhoods, safer junctions and speed reduction strategies among other schemes to encourage mode shift to active and sustainable modes. This was supported by non-infrastructure programmes of work including the Healthy Streets Officers who help community groups, schools and businesses to encourage active travel. TfL also encourages active travel through advertising campaigns and online cycle training.
Much of the Healthy Streets programme was paused during the pandemic as TfL focused on the rapid delivery of temporary schemes to help people walk and cycle more safely during the pandemic. The programme has now been remobilised and remains firmly focused on supporting a green recovery from the pandemic, and creating greater opportunities for safe, active travel on London’s streets.
In addition, I am also continuing to clean up London’s polluted air by expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) from October 2021to create a single, larger zone that will reduce harmful pollutants further, following the successful introduction of the initial ULEZ in 2019. I am also creating a new generation of greener transport by cleaning up London’s buses and taxis. These initiatives mean any remaining vehicle trips in London will be as clean as possible.

Reducing Pollution and Schools (2)

Leonie Cooper: Please provide a breakdown of Schools Streets installed, by borough.

The Mayor: See response to MQ 2021/2801 for a list of school streets installed by borough.

Reducing Pollution and Schools (1)

Leonie Cooper: Please provide a breakdown of the School Streets programme planned, in each year of this term of your mayoralty.

The Mayor: I support the delivery of School Streets as a measure to encourage walking and cycling to school and improve local air quality. London boroughs, working with Transport for London (TfL), have already delivered 322 School Streets under the London Streetspace Programme (LSP), with a further five due to be completed this year, using the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Active Travel Fund.
Several boroughs have also completed similar schemes using other funding sources.Under the terms of TfL’s current funding deal with the DfT, boroughs have been asked to submit requests for funding permanent LSP schemes this year, including School Streets.TfL is currently finalising allocations to boroughs and will announce these shortly. School Streets and similar measures will be key to ensuring that London is able to avoid a car-based recovery and to open up safely and sustainably following restrictions being eased. TfL looks forward to confirming a delivery programme for future years once a long-term funding deal for TfL is agreed.

Waking Watches and London’s Boroughs

Anne Clarke: Please provide a borough-by-borough breakdown of the number of buildings operating waking watches in London. Please also break down the numbers for buildings over 18m and under 18m in each borough.

The Mayor: London Fire Brigade (LFB) collects data for buildings with a temporary suspension of ‘stay put’ where an interim simultaneous evacuation strategy has been put in place. This includes, but is not limited to, waking watches, which the National Fire Chiefs Council guidance defines as a system where ‘suitably trained persons continually patrol all floors and the exterior perimeter of the building in order to detect a fire, raise the alarm, and carry out the role of evacuation management’. Residential buildings with an interim simultaneous evacuation strategy in place could have personnel on site or a remote monitoring system, but this is determined by the Responsible Person with guidancefroma competent fire safety professional.
The figures can changeon a daily basiswhen interim measures are required, or the building is remediated and no longer requires the interim measures. The number of buildings where an interim simultaneous evacuation strategy has been put in place, asof15 July 2021, are presented by borough and by height in the table below.
Local Authority
Total blocks
Over 18 metres
Under 18 metres
Barking and Dagenham
14
11
3
Barnet
21
17
4
Bexley
3
3
0
Brent
55
40
15
Bromley
4
2
2
Camden
26
23
3
City of London
2
2
0
Croydon
34
21
13
Ealing
18
11
7
Enfield
3
2
1
Greenwich
68
59
9
Hackney
77
58
19
Hammersmith and Fulham
11
9
2
Haringey
14
8
6
Harrow
4
3
1
Havering
12
12
0
Hillingdon
15
11
4
Hounslow
19
14
5
Islington
48
27
21
Kensington and Chelsea
15
8
7
Kingston upon Thames
4
4
0
Lambeth
51
36
15
Lewisham
57
38
19
Merton
5
3
2
Newham
57
54
3
Redbridge
11
9
2
Richmond
0
0
0
Southwark
65
58
7
Sutton
3
3
0
Tower Hamlets
161
153
8
Waltham Forest
21
21
0
Wandsworth
33
29
4
Westminster
36
32
4
Total
967
781
186

Safer Neighbourhood Boards (3)

Caroline Russell: How much are you intending to spend on Safer Neighbourhood Boards (SNBs) in 2022-23?

The Mayor: The 2022/3 budget for Safer Neighbourhood Boards will be determined as part of the overall GLA/MOPAC budget approval process that will take place later in this financial year.

Safer Neighbourhood Boards (1)

Caroline Russell: How many meetings have the Safer Neighbourhood Boards conducted in the past year and how frequently are these meeting held? Could you provide the data per Safer Neighbourhood Board?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question2021/0071.

Staff Networks and the LFB

Anne Clarke: How many staff networks are there for LFB staff? What are these networks?

The Mayor: There are nine Equality Support Groups for London Fire Brigade (LFB) staff and are as follows:
Equality Support Group
Description of Group
Asian Fire Service Association (AFSA)
A support group for Asian staff, linked to the national AFSA group to share development, support and learning, and provide a supportive environment for members.
Disability Working Group
Provides support and advice for disabled staff, including staff with mental and physical impairments, learning disabilities or those looking for resources or information relating to disability.
Emerald Society
An Irish Group that is open to all staff.
Fairness
A forum for Black, Asian and ethnic minority colleagues to offer support and advice.
LGBT+ Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression group
Raises awareness of LGBT+ issues across LFB, encourages and facilitates networking and provides confidential support to those who require it. The Network also supports the development of policy, procedure and custom both within and outside the Brigade.
Menopause Action Group
The Menopause Action Group provides peer support to menopausal women and advice to their managers in supporting their needs.
Parents and Carers Network
A support group for parents, those with childcare responsibilities, grandparents and those wanting to be parents and allies. This includes people going through IVF, adoption and pregnancy. This group is also for carers, those caring for an ill, frail or disabled family member, partner or friend due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability. This support group offers networking opportunities, peer support and signposting to resources.
United MINDs
A group that supports the mental wellbeing of all staff and aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health at work.
Women in the Fire Service
Part of the nationally recognised Women in the Fire Service UK group, which provides peer support and development for women across all areas of LFB.

Silvertown Tunnel Review (2)

Elly Baker: The Ernst & Young Report on Silvertown Tunnel was presented to TfL’s March 2021 Audit Committee. However, an update to the report was made to take into account additional correspondence received from individuals within the Stop the Silvertown Tunnel Coalition (SSTC), Transport Action Network and Friends of the Earth. What changes, if any, were made to the report as a result of this correspondence? Will you publish the correspondence received?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is not able to confirm any specific changes made to the report as they do not hold this information. However, the final version that takes into account the additional correspondence received is published on the TfL website at https://content.tfl.gov.uk/project-telford-final-report.pdf.
Ernst & Young have confirmed they have investigated all concerns raised and, in addition to ensuring these were addressed in their final report which is publicly available, have responded directly to all correspondents. We do not propose publishing the details of all correspondence.

Anti-corruption unit resources

Unmesh Desai: Please advise how many Met officers within the Professional Standards department have been dedicated to anti-corruption work in each year since 2016?

The Mayor: The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) does not provide resourcing details of its anti-corruption capacity. The MPS considers this imperative to the operational effectiveness of its anti-corruption practices.
It is also important to remember that anti-corruption elements within the Professional Standards Department are just part of the overall response. Local professional standards units, vetting, HR and governance all have a role to play in preventing and tackling corruption.

E-Taxi Charging Points (1)

Keith Prince: Has theMayoragreed any cost cap with suppliers, ensuring reasonable fees for taxi drivers, using dedicated e-taxi charge points?

The Mayor: I recognise the economic impact the pandemic has had on the taxi trade, alongside many other professions across London. Transport for London (TfL) has not set cost caps with suppliers for its rapid charge points, including those that are dedicated to e-taxis, as these are operated on a commercial basis via the TfL procurement framework. However, TfL has done everything possible through this framework to make sure fair and reasonable pricing is applied. TfL rapid charge points generally cost between 25-32p per kilowatt.

LFB Community Engagement (1)

Anne Clarke: How are you and the Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience supporting the LFB to strengthen its relations with London’s diverse communities?

The Mayor: London Fire Brigade continues to develop relationships with London’s diverse communities. Last year, the London Fire Commissioner and the Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience approved the formation of a new stakeholder and community engagement team to support the Brigade’s transformation following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase One report and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspection recommendations published in December 2019.
The Brigade launched community engagement pilots in eight boroughs in April 2021 which will run until April 2022. The objective is to develop engagement platforms that will help the Brigade to work with communities across London to help shape and improve its service. As part of each pilot, an equality impact assessment was completed to ensure engagement activities were targeted to under-represented and multi-disadvantaged groups. I continue to discuss LFB’s work in this area at my regular meetings with the Commissioner.

Metropolitan Police Service standards disciplinary outcomes

Caroline Russell: How many Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers have been dismissed because of standards issues per year since 2012? Could you divide these by how many were dismissed via internal disciplinary procedures and how many after investigations by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The Mayor: The table below shows the number of police officers dismissed and whether the investigation was conducted by the IOPC or MPS.
Investigated by
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Directorate of Professional Standards
57
52
54
51
57
55
53
59
45
25
IPCC/IOPC
3
4
1
1
1
1
1
5
3
1
Total dismissed
60
56
55
52
58
56
54
64
48
26
Note that all police officer dismissals for proven breaches of the standards of professional behaviour are subject to the Police (Conduct) Regulations. All hearings, irrespective of whether the cases were investigated by the MPS or the IOPC are progressed internally via the Directorate of Professional Standards within the MPS.